Abstract: The carton erecting apparatus provides for the high speed transfer and opening of flat, folded cartons. The apparatus includes a rotary transfer mechanism having a fixed gear and a plurality of planetary gears in rotational communication with the fixed gear. The planetary gearing rotationally drives therewith a vacuum transport means so as to provide therefor at least two apex positions of travel at predetermined locations. A vacuum control means is operative on the transport means, particularly at its apex positions. A storage means is provided at a first apex position for releasably holding flat, folded cartons. And, a conveyor means is provided at a second apex position of travel of the vacuum transport means. The conveyor means has outwardly extending flights which are uniformly spaced and separated by a distance essentially based upon a predetermined carton dimension.

Abstract: The collapsible and slidable cart provides for the transport of articles on both horizontal and oblique surfaces. The cart includes a pair of spacially parallel support members, each having a handle portion at the upper end and a wheel mounted for rotation at the lower end. At least one tray member for supporting articles extends outwardly from and is rotationally connected to the support members. Lock means which permit or prevent the rotational movement of the parallel support members relative to the tray member provides the cart user with means to collapse the cart for storage. The parallel support members have a curved, outwardly extending lower end portion so that the wheels extend outwardly from the remaining upper length. The curved lower ends having a low friction contact surface permits the cart to be transported on oblique surfaces, such as stairs.

Abstract: The wine fermentation apparatus is for use with a fermentation vessel to control the fermentation process therein. The apparatus permits the egress of the upper floating layer and carbon dioxide gas from the fermentation vessel, provides for the ingress of a makeup fluid to minimize oxidation of the wine produced, and prevents the entrance of bacteria and air into the fermentation vessel, to avoid a detrimental effect on the anaerobic wine fermentation process proceeding therein. The apparatus is comprised of a stopper for sealingly engaging the upper neck portion of a fermentation vessel. The stopper has a pair of upwardly extending apertures therethrough for sealably receiving an egress conduit and an ingress conduit. At their lower ends, the ingress and egress conduits are in communication with the fermentation vessel. An accumulator container disposed spacially upward of the stopper, is in communication with the upper ends of the egress and ingress conduits.

Abstract: The thermometer mouthpiece device is for slidably and releasably engaging a thermometer for oral use. The mouthpiece device is for releasably holding a thermometer at a predetermined location so that the positioning of the device in the mouth of a user results in the proper extension of the thermometer bulb into the mouth cavity. The mouthpiece device is aerodynamic in construction to facilitate breathing by a user, and the device is resilient in composition to engage the teeth or gums of a user and to prevent breakage or fear of breakage of the thermometer. The aerodynamic mouthpiece device is comprised of a unitary, elongated and resilient body member having opposing tapered end portions. A ribbed center portion is circumferentially disposed about the device body intermediate the opposing tapered ends. A thermometer holding and securing means is provided to slidably engage a thermometer.

Abstract: The mechanically operable plug device is for use with the end of a pipe or conduit. The plug device is for removably sealing the conduit end so that the conduit can be tested for leaks. The mechanically operable plug device is comprised of two spacially parallel plate members, a narrow, elastomeric, and radially expandable O-ring member which is disposed between the plate members, and adjustable lateral force means which is operable on the parallel plate members. The radially expandable O-ring member has a circumferentially disposed surface for engaging the interior surface of a conduit to be sealed, and a generally V-shaped cross section having inclined surfaces of a predetermined slope. The plate members have interiorly facing tapered shoulders of generally the same predetermined slope to engage the inclined surfaces of the O-ring.

Abstract: The tracheostomy stoma covering device is for filtering and conditioning the air inhaled through the stoma. The device includes an encasement member having generally flexible mesh front and back panels, and having access means for entry into the interior thereof. Flexible strap means extend from generally the top side portions of the encasement member for securing the device about a wearer's neck with the encasement member covering the stoma. Within the interior of the encasement member is a replaceable air filter means which is exchangable through the access means. Additionally, a moisture absorbing and releasing and heat absorbing and releasing element is provided for placement within the encasement member for selective use depending upon environmental factors. Adjustable strap means are provided for a wide range of user neck sizes, and strap placement and configurations are disclosed to ensure comfortable wear and proper location of the device relative to the stoma.

Abstract: The one legged fastener is for securing an object to a wall. The one legged fastener has a body with one leg which has a prebent knee that permits the leg to be easily inserted through a desired hole in the wall. The fastener body is made of a bendable material and has a tab portion and a foot portion at the opposite ends of the leg. The tab has a hole in alignment with a threaded hole in the foot portion. By placing a screw through the tab portion hole and turning it through the threaded hole in the foot, the one legged fastener bends at the knee and is secured to the wall to secure an object.

Abstract: An adjustable pedal extension device for the demountable attachment to a pedal of a machine, such as a piano, and which permits a user to manipulate an otherwise unreachable or difficult to reach foot pedal. The device includes a body frame having a supporting structure with an open end for receiving a pedal and an adjustable clamping member for securing the supporting structure to a pedal. A horizontal extension means is adjustably attached by a first securement means to the body frame, and a vertical extension means is adjustably secured to the horizontal extension means by a second securement means. The vertical extension means has a generally horizontal portion extending outward at its upper end to receive the foot of a user. The horizontal and vertical extension means are generally interchangeable L-shaped members having leg portions of varying lengths to effectuate a wide range of pedal extension distances.

Abstract: The earth sheltered building consists of a thin elliptoidal shell which is attached to a generally curvilinear top viewed foundation. The elliptoidal shell meets the foundation at a generally horizontal latitudinal plane which is spacially below and parallel to the equatorial plane of the elliptoid. The building has ingress and egress means defined generally by the intersection of a pair of latitudinal lines and a pair of longitudinal lines of the elliptoid. Ingress and egress means can also be obtained by the omission of any meridian surface section of the elliptoid or any section defined by a plane spacially parallel to a meridian plane. The building can also be elongated by placing a vaulted section of elliptic vertical cross section congruous with two hemi-elliptoidal shells. The building can be constructed by the use of predetermined inner and outer form panels which assemble into inner and outer form networks.

Abstract: A device for testing an air brake system of a locomotive, an air brake system having a compressed air source, a conduit for the ingress and egress of compressed air and a brake valve which is communicatively connected to both the compressed air source and the ingress/egress conduit. The device is particularly for testing the functionality of the brake valve of the air brake system. The testing device includes a trackside stand for placement in proximity to a locomotive servicing site, and a storage reservoir for holding a predetermined volume of compressed air. The trackside stand is further comprised of a conduit having one end for communicative connection to the storage reservoir and an opposite end for communicative connection to the ingress and egress conduit of the locomotive air brake system.

Abstract: The valvular infusion device is for the administration of drugs or supplemental fluids into a parenteral fluid stream for intravenous infusion to a patient. The device includes a main conduit for generally the continual flow therethrough of a parenteral fluid, and at least one second conduit in communication with the main conduit to permit the injecting of drugs or supplemental fluids thereinto for transport with the parenteral fluid to a patient. The second conduits have valve chambers and compressible, resilient valve means therein, to permit only one-way flow of the drugs or supplemental fluids into the main conduit. The second conduits are provided with syringe receiving and securing means to provide a source for activating the pressure sensitive valve means and the injection of the required drugs or supplemented fluids for a patient. Additionally provided is a valvular infusion device for the induction of general anesthesia, which permits the injection of drugs utilizing only one hand of a user.

Abstract: The arm wrestling device is for providing a clockwise and counterclockwise rotational resistance force in opposition to the rotation of an individual user's forearm about its respective, stationary elbow joint. The device includes a base structure for supporting the user's rotational forces and the remaining elements of the device. These elements include an elbow placement and receiving means, a rigid lever arm and a clockwise and counterclockwise rotational force resistance means. The rigid lever arm has an upper portion for hand gripping by the user and a lower portion having a generally horizontal axis of rotation. At rest, the lever arm extends in a generally vertical direction in proximity to the elbow placement means so that the user can comfortably grasp the upper portion of the lever arm.

Abstract: The thread conditioning device is for rotational movement about a threaded bolt to remove corrosion and debris and to otherwise condition the bolt threads for further use. The device or chaser includes a body having an opened and generally C-shaped configuration when viewed cross sectionally to its axis of rotation. The body of the device includes an interior threaded surface to engage the threads of the bolt to be conditioned, an exterior surface to mechanically engage, grasp and rotate the device, and two generally opposing end surfaces. The open portion of the C-shaped body is defined by two lateral surfaces which extend between the opposing end surfaces from the interior surface to the exterior surface of the device. The two lateral surfaces preferably form positive, acute angles relative to the interior surface of the body when viewed cross sectionally. The intersections of the lateral surfaces and the interior threaded surface form two generally spacially opposing plowing edges of the device.

Abstract: The solar roof, eaves and gutter device is for collecting solar radiation and heat loss from a heated structure below the roof, and to utilize the captured energy to melt ice and snow from the roof, eaves and gutter of a building structure to prevent damage to the lower roof areas of the building structure. The solar device includes a generally flat base strip of an energy absorbent material for securing the device to the lower roof areas of the structure and at least one adjustable solar collector tab for optimal orientation towards the sun to receive solar radiation and to transmit this energy to other portions of or connected to the device. The solar collector tabs being either a cut out from and congruous with the base strip or being a separate portion rotatably mounted to the base strip. The device is suitable for use on roofs either with or without a gutter.

Abstract: The anaerobic, displacement-type digester is for the biological production of methane gas. The process involves the anaerobic digestion of solid waste and water or a sewage slurry to produce a methane-rich gas, which can be utilized for its energy value. The digester includes a tank-type enclosure comprising an input end, a digesting chamber and an output end. At the output end a sealable output chamber is provided which can separate the output end from the digesting chamber. The output chamber is comprised of a lower partition and an upper partition, which allows the output chamber to be sealed from the digesting chamber. As waste material is introduced at the input end of the digester, a slurry is formed. The upper stratum of material or scum must periodically be removed from the slurry to provide space for additionally introduced waste into the digester and to optimize the anaerobic digestion process. An upper stratum displacement means is provided at the digesting chamber of the digester.