Abstract: Indicia display means comprising an indicia-bearing member having one or more sets of visible indicia located thereon in predetermined locations, and a mask member arranged to overlay the indicia-bearing member, the mask member having perforations or openings at predetermined locations to expose selected ones of said visible indicia. The mask member may be provided with a mirror image set of said indicia on the reverse side of the mask member to assist in locating the site of said openings or perforations in the mask member. The location of the indicia, the color, and/or the color of the background and/or the color of the mask areas may be used to convey information, in addition to the values assigned to the indicia themselves.

Abstract: A method of removing oxygen and water vapor and other oxygen bearing gas species from reactant gases comprising the use of an appropriate solution containing an active gettering metal, selected from the group of aluminum, magnesium, calcium and lithium in liquid phase through a moderate temperature range, including room temperature and above as an oxygen gettering step, through the formation of an oxide of said metal wherein the said metal becomes continuously available for oxidation by exposing the said unreacted metal to the gas by bubbling the reactant gas through a ternary melt of gallium-indium and the said metal in a nonreactive container and maintaining in solid phase an excess of the active gettering method so that the capacity for removing the oxygen and water vapor and other oxygen bearing gas species may be extended by the active metal going into solution in the melt from the solid as the metal oxide is formed and goes out of solution.

Abstract: A multifluid dispensing system especially suited for web tinting machines or the like. A plurality of fluid and, optionally, air-tight tanks are provided. In a recirculating embodiment, the tanks feed fluid to, and receive fluid from, two manifolds. The upper (output) manifold receiving fluid from each tank slopes to gravity drain into the second manifold. The second (inlet) manifold is level to eliminate low spots for fluid accumulation. The inlet manifold drains into the tanks through valves in the side of, and level with, the manifold. A non-recirculating embodiment uses only the second manifold with pressurized tanks. An optional flush tank may be provided.

Abstract: A toy for pets, especially cats, in the form of a blanket-like material with selectively expansible "risers" operated remotely by a pet owner.

Abstract: An improved silo unloader having an ensilage cover of air impermeable thermally insulating material for limiting air contact with the surface of the ensilage. The ensilage cover rests on the surface of the ensilage and rotates with the lower part of the silo unloader. The ensilage cover is preferably constructed of upper and lower layers of air-impermeable material with an insulating material layer between. The lower layer is preferably coated with a material which is resistant to adherence of frozen material.

Abstract: An improved hair roller or permanent wave rod comprising a cylindrical member on which the hair is wound, and a flexible strap or band, the cylindrical member and the ends of the strap having self-adhering material which has a high resistance to shear forces in the plane of contact of the material but can be readily separated by force perpendicular to the plane of contact of the material. The rod may have flanged ends to provide an increased area of contact of the material. One type of material suitable for use in the invention is a hook and loop fastening material known as "VELCRO", a registered trademark of Velcro America.

Abstract: A usage control system for copiers and the like, adapted to connect to the copier through the existing accounting system connection. A check-operated device, such as a coin box or magnetic card reader, supplies the copier with a signal to initiate operation. When the operation has progressed, the copier supplies a signal intended to increment the counter in the accounting system. After a suitable delay, permitting completion of the copy cycle, the operate signal is reset, and the copier is disabled. As an option, power to the copier may be controlled. The system requires no internal connections or modifications to the copier.

Abstract: A drip and trickle irrigator independent of the pressure of the water supply. The drip irrigator has an inlet with a variable-orifice to control the fluid flow into a chamber. A float within the chamber coupled to the variable orifice in order to vary the cross-sectional area of the orifice upon variation of the head of fluid within the chamber. An outlet inside the chamber such that the pressure of the fluid head determines the pressure at the outlet independent of the supply pressure.

Abstract: A light, conforming protective garment for athletes made of a stretch material with pockets over the areas to be protected. Pads are formed to fit the wearer, inserted into the pockets, and are held closely in place by the stretch material.

Abstract: A device to display musical chords and notes for fretted string instruments comprising (a) top sheet having a plurality of transparent patterns representing the strings and frets on the fingerboard of the instrument, (b) pivot located at a central point on the sheet, and (c) underlying rotatable disk having a plurality of patterns of spots representing different types of chords. All the fingerboard patterns on the top sheet are identical but each is disposed to display chords in a different musical key. When the rotatable disk is angularly indexed relative to the top sheet, the device displays a plurality of musical chords, differing in position on the fingerboard, in musical key and in chord type. The spots displayed through the transparent fingerboard patterns indicate where the fingers may be placed on the strings and which strings may be left unstopped when a chord is sounded.

Abstract: An improved sample holder for permeable materials, especially useful in permeameters. The sample holder contains the sample within a pliant sleeve. The sleeve is itself constained within a constrictor. When pressed into a seat, the constrictor reduces in diameter evenly along its length, holding the sample in the sleeve tightly without gaps for fluid leakage.

Abstract: An on-line handwritten character recognition system utilizing a novel "closed-loop" type detector. The detector senses the direction of movement of the writing element across the writing surface, and is constrained in generation of strings of directions traveled to traverse all intervening directions between any two traveled by the writing element by requiring the detector to move only between adjacent directions.

Abstract: A wall framing system using thermal-break studs comprising two half-studs located on opposite sides of insulating material, and top and bottom channels into which the insulating material is inserted, and to which the half-studs are fastened. The half-studs may be tied together, compressing the insulating material, for additional strength.

Abstract: A stove having automatic chimney air flow compensation for reductions in air flow to its combustion chamber is disclosed. An increase or decrease in compensatory air flow is dependent upon the movement of ganged dampers. The amount of compensatory chimney air flow is dependent upon the size and/or position of apertures and blocking portions formed respectively in the ganged dampers. The dampers can be configured, as appropriate, and thereby tuned, to be particularly responsive to local conditions.The stove is provided with a conduit positioned to provide a source of fresh air. The conduit is clamped to the stove to heat the air flowing therein and thereby prevent exhaust gas condensation and creosote buildup when it rises in and from the chimney.