Abstract: A novel chemical dispenser for dispensing a predetermined volume of a chemical solution into a body of liquid, such as water in a toilet tank, in response to a change in the level of the liquid comprises a container which holds the solid chemicals to be dispensed, an air vent extending from the top of the container, and a siphon which enters the container through a deck located below the top of the container and has a U-shaped bend extending above the top of the container but below the top of the air vent. The dispenser structure provides substantial isolation of the chemical solution in the dispenser from the surrounding tank water between flushes without the presence of any isolating air bubbles and also provides a color change signal indicating when the solid chemical within the dispenser is depleted.

Abstract: A compact multiple coil heat exchanger having a high heat transfer density is provided to include at least an inner coil formed from a continuous tube into a plurality of contiguous turns about a common axis in a spiral arrangement and having a pitch in one direction and an outer coil formed from the continuous tube into a plurality of overlapping turns concentrically about the inner coil in a spiral arrangement having an opposite pitch. Further, a coil-forming apparatus and continuous coil-forming method is directed to form a multiple coil heat exchanger from a continuous tube using a coil-forming die rotatably mounted on a support frame. The coil-forming die includes a continuous spiral thread constructed to receive and laterally support the continuous tube while fabricating the multiple coil heat exchanger according to the continuous coil-forming method of this invention.

Abstract: A controlled atmosphere package for retarding the ripening rate of fruits and vegetables is formed from the combination of a sealed enclosure and a packet for the package interior which contains chemical agents capable of absorbing moisture and carbon dioxide from the package environment so as to prevent mold growth or other respiratory injury to the product. Absorption of carbon dioxide and water vapor lowers the pressure inside the package and produces a driving force which allows the entry of sufficient air into the package from the surrounding ambient atmosphere to prevent anaerobic respiration and low oxygen injury to the produce.

Abstract: A gas sensing apparatus is adapted to detect the presence of a gas of interest in air in very small quantities and to provide a rapid alarm or other indication in response to the presence of such gas. The apparatus incorporates a gas sensing composition which changes its electrical resistance more dramatically than previously possible in response to the presence of the gas and electronic circuitry designed to sense and evaluate the patterns of resistance change during the first approximately 30 seconds after exposure to gas and to accurately estimate gas concentration based on such initial resistance variations. The system also looks at overall change in sensor resistance to detect gradually increasing gas levels. A preferred method of manufacturing the sensor and a sensor configuration particularly suited to the early detection of gas levels are disclosed.

Abstract: A backless brassiere incorporates a pair of semi-rigid support members secured along the inner and lower portion of each cup and extending to a position under the wearer's arm. The structure further includes a pair of side panels extending outwardly from the outer edges of the bust cups to the semi-rigid support members. The side panels and semi-rigid supports, together, provide upward and lateral support for the bust.

Abstract: A display device comprises a composite body including a display structure of film-shape or plate-shape porous substance made of light transmissive or colored dielectric material and supported to expose at least one surface thereof to an open space and light transmissive liquid material impregnated in the porous substance, and means for applying a signal voltage to the composite body. By electroosmotic movement of the light transmissive liquid material in the porous substance in response to the signal voltage, liquid impregnation factor on at least one surface of the porous substance exposed to the open space is electrically controlled to control light reflection factor or light transmission factor of the composite body to an external light.By forming a plurality of depressions of dot or line shape on the surface of the porous substance exposed to the open space, a high sensitivity control of external light is attained.

Abstract: A high temperature seal, particularly suitable for use in vehicle engine exhaust systems, is formed of refractory sheet material which is first placed within a wire mesh sleeve. The sleeve is then wound into a cylindrical preform and axially compressed to provide a unified structure in which the mesh sleeve and sheet material are firmly interlocked.

Abstract: A roof truss assembly for hipped roofs comprises a number of roof trusses of constant ceiling joist length and of a height decreasing stepwise from a maximum height. All roof trusses regardless of their height have vertical struts which are perpendicular to the ceiling joist and provided in a number at least twice as large as the number of height reduction steps. The vertical struts are provided in the same number on either side of the transverse central plane of the roof trusses, the vertical struts on one side of the plane being spaced equally far from said plane as corresponding vertical struts on the other side of said plane.

Abstract: A rope clamp, in which the rope (7) is guided through rope openings (13) of several clamping members (11) which can be pivoted parallel to one another, secures the rope (7) automatically. To enable the holding force to be increased and the clamping effect to be accurately adjusted, the rope openings (13) have a considerable length and the clamping members (11) are inclined, in their open position which permits a free passage of the rope, against the rope pulling direction (10). Preferably, plane clamping plates of approximately the same thickness as the rope are used. The cylindrical rope openings are made obliquely in the clamping plates and, in the inclined open position of these, are aligned with one another along the same axis. A hand lever (12) can be moulded onto the front clamping plate. Furthermore, a spring can be provided, which presses on the rear clamping plate in the rope pulling direction and, at the same time, serves to detain the lever in the open position.

Abstract: A three dimensional toy includes juxtaposed first and second surfaces. The surfaces contain a discontinuity therethrough. Affixed to the second surface are a plurality of figure-forming elements. The toy is transformable from the first configuration to the second configuration and vice-versa. The transformation is performed by causing the bulk of the toy to pass through the discontinuities in the surfaces. When the toy is in the first configuration, the first surface is on the outside of the toy and the second surface with its affixed figure forming elements is hidden from view within the first surface. When the toy is in its second configuration, the first surface is located within the toy and the second surface with its affixed figure-forming elements is positioned outwardly from the first surface and exposed to view.

Abstract: An air washing apparatus consisting essentially of two separate cyclic units. In the first cyclic unit, air is sprayed with a fluid consisting of water and a halogen. The spray removes impurities from the air, and brings the impurities into the fluid supply from which the impurities are removed in the second cyclic unit, by treating the fluid with ozone. After treatment, the fluid is returned to the fluid supply where the halogen in the fluid supply removes any ozone present, and thereby renders the fluid safe.