Abstract: An electrically-operated control valve includes a rotor rotatably mounted to a first position connecting a fluid inlet port to a fluid outlet port, or a second position disconnecting the fluid inlet port from the fluid outlet port; a battery-operated electrical rotary motor for rotating the rotor; and limit switches for deenergizing the electrical motor when the rotor arrives in either the first or second positions. The electrical motor is coupled to the rotor by a speed-reducing, torque-increasing transmission such that very little electrical power is required to operate the motor, thereby enabling the control valve to be used as a remotely-controlled pilot valve for controlling a water irrigation system.

Abstract: A dispensing device particularly useful for dispensing nutritional liquids includes an electrolytic cell having electrodes and an electrolyte capable of generating a gas upon the energization of the electrodes, which gas causes the dispensing of the liquid according to the rate of generation of the gas. The container for the liquid to be dispensed may be a disposable unit including the electrolytic cell, and a non-disposable electrical control circuit may be provided for controlling the rate of energization of the electrodes. The dispensing unit may also include an outer container adapted to receive a bag containing the liquid to be dispensed, the generated gas being applied between the outer container and the pliable bag.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a location for the occurrence of a predetermined condition thereat includes a transmitter located at the monitored location for normally transmitting a series of first electrical signals at a first repetition rate and in a first time slot; a sensor at the monitored location for sensing the predetermined condition; and a control circuit effective, upon sensing the predetermined condition, to interrupt the transmission of the first electrical signals and to initiate the transmission of a series of second electrical signals at a second repetition rate and in a second time slot both having a predetermined relation to the first repetition rate and the first time slot of said first electrical signals.

Abstract: An automatic irrigation device for plants which is automatically activated in correlation with the evapotranspiration needs of the plants comprises an open-top fluid evaporation pan containing the irrigating fluids, the fluids being capable of evaporating from the pan, thereby reducing its weight. A fluid conduit attached to a fluid inlet port conducts the fluids to the plants and the pan while a valve, interposed between the inlet port and the conduit and operatively connected to the pan, controls the conduction of the fluids to the pan and the plants. A counter-force member exerts a force on the pan in a direction opposite to that of the force of gravity. When the pan holds more than a first amount of fluid the valve closes and the device enters the evaporating stage. When the pan holds less than a second, lesser amount of fluid the valve opens and the device enters the irrigating stage. The device can be used to automatically irrigate a large number of plants simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of processing a file of recorded color separation values of color elements for use in preparing polychromatic printing plates in order to reduce or eliminate defects caused by misregistration by printing, includes the steps: (a) defining a plurality of predetermined color types; (b) identifying the color pairs where there is a change in color between adjacent color elements; and (c) for each color pair, determining whether or not to make a frame according to first predetermined criteria based on specific combination of color types in the pair, and then according to second predetermined criteria based on the difference in luminance between corresponding color separations in the respective pair.

Abstract: A vehicle cabin construction includes a storage Compartment in the space between the ceiling and outer cabin wall extending longitudinally of the vehicle cabin for storing article holders, an elevator for lowering the article holders from the storage compartment to the deck, and for raising the article holders from the deck to the storage compartment, and longitudinal transfer means engageable with the article holders for moving them longitudinally from or to different locations in the storage compartment on a plurality of roller transfer members.

Abstract: A modular unit for a shelving system includes a pair of tube connectors each made up of half-sections together having an outer transverse dimension slightly less than the inner transverse dimension of a tube to be connected thereto, a threaded fastener threaded through an opening in one half-section and abutting the other half-section to force apart the two half-sections and thereby to firmly clamp them to a tube, and a tie rod joining a half-section of one of the tube connectors to a half-section of the other tube connector.

Abstract: A supporting member for supporting steel reinforcing bars before casting concrete thereover when making steel-reinforced concrete panels includes an elongated strip of sheet material folded into a U-shape to include a pair of substantially parallel legs at one side of the supporting member joined together by a bent integral juncture at the opposite side of the supporting member. The bent integral juncture is formed with a plurality of axially-spaced slots extending into the legs but terminating short of their bottom edges for receiving and supporting the bars transversely across the legs. Also described are a method of making such a supporting member, and a steel-reinforcement concrete panel including a plurality of such supporting members.

Abstract: A processor unit connectable between a computer and a keyboard unit stores a plurality of programs for operating the processor unit according to either a Transparent Mode wherein stored data inputted from the keyboard via a keyboard I/O port in the processor unit is transmitted to the computer unit, or according to one of a plurality of Special Handling Modes, and is controlled to select either the Transparent Mode or one of the Special Handling Modes.

Abstract: A water delivery assembly for attachment to a pressurized water supply pipe particularly useful for supplying drinking water to poultry, includes a housing having an elongated flow passageway between its inlet and outlet restricting the water flow through the outlet, and thereby permitting the assembly to be used with water supply pipes supplying water at a relatively high pressure.

Abstract: An oral anti-halitosis preparation adapted to desorb microorganisms and to absorb materials causing halitosis, includes as an active ingredient a synthetic oil, preferably one containing the ester of an alcholol and an aliphatic acid of at least six carbon atoms. Particularly good results were obtained when the synthetic oil is caprylic triglyceride, capric triglyceride, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A drip irrigation emitter includes a plurality of baffles defining a labyrinth in which the baffles form clearances of different heights with respect to one of the housing walls, and in which either the housing wall or the baffles are displaced to open or close the clearances sequentially, thereby varying the resistance of the labyrinth to the flow of fluid therethrough in response to variations in the pressure of the fluid at the housing inlet.

Abstract: A facial mask for use in effecting toning of a wearer's facial muscles includes two spaced layers of flexible sheet material secured together along their outer margins, and a quantity of freely movable particles of a filling material in the space between the two layers. When the mask is to be worn, suction is applied to the space between the two layers in order to effectively rigidify the mask according to the configuration of the wearer's face. The mask is pressed against the wearer's facial muscles by pressurizing an expansible chamber engageable with the back of the wearer's head, and/or by pressurizing a chamber formed by the flexible sheet layer wall and a front rigid wall.

Abstract: A motorized water vehicle includes a buoyant unit formed with a throughgoing opening at an intermediate location, and a separate power unit mounted within the opening when the two units are assembled together. The power unit includes an internal combustion engine to be enclosed by the buoyant unit when the two units are in assembled condition in the water, and a propelling device to project through the bottom of the buoyant unit into the water.

Abstract: A dental cleaning implement includes a handpiece graspable at one end by a user, an electrical oscillating drive within the handpiece for oscillating the handpiece at a frequency of at least 5 Khz, a head at the opposite end of the handpiece including attaching apparatus for releasably attaching a toothpick or toothbrush thereto, and a spray nozzle for discharging a liquid spray in the region of the toothpick or toothbrush when attached to the head.

Abstract: A fluid-flow control device includes an oscillating member freely movable within a housing and havng one face movable into and out of contact with an inner face of the housing through which an inlet opening extends to close and open the inlet opening. The contacting faces of the oscillating member and housing are configured such as to set the oscillating member into rapid oscillation opening and closing the inlet opening and to drive the fluid, in the form of high-frequency pulses, out through an outlet opening formed in the opposite face of the housing.

Abstract: An intraocular insert for implantation in the interior of a human eye, characterized in that the insert includes a positive lens to face the anterior side of the eye, and a negative lens in alignment with and spaced behind the positive lens to face the posterior side of the eye.

Abstract: A diaphragm control valve includes a diaphragm valve member having an outer peripheral section for securing the diaphragm within the valve housing, a valve-closer section displaceable with respect to the valve seat for controlling the flow, an intermediate flexible section permitting the displacement of the valve-closer section, and a cylindrical guiding section between the valve-closer section and the intermediate flexible section. The housing includes a cylindrical guiding surface engageable with the cylindrical guiding section of the diaphragm and with the valve-closer section for guiding the movement of the valve-closer section.

Abstract: A child-resistant closure for a container includes a cap constructed and dimensioned such that it can be gripped and moved to open the container by the hand of the size of an adult but not of a child.

Abstract: A fluid mixing device includes a housing having two inlets for two fluids to be mixed, a common outlet, and a cylindrical chamber connecting the inlets to the outlet. A valve member is disposed within the cylindrical chamber and includes a cylindrical wall formed with a slot extending for a part of the wall circumference. The housing inlets include slots extending transversely of the cylindrical chamber. The valve member is displaceable axially for moving its slot into or out of alignment with the inlet slots. It is also presettable angularly to permit presetting the proportion the valve member slot is coextensive with the inlet slots, and thereby the proportions of the inletted fluids to be included in the outlet mixture. Also described is a demand valve optionally usable with the fluid mixing device.