Abstract: A lint remover 10 is provided for removing lint from an air exhaust of a clothes dryer D. An enclosure 20 includes an inflow tube 60 delivering water into the enclosure 20. The inflow tube 60 is coupled to a clothes washer W used water discharge. The enclosure 20 includes a suction passage 80 which is oriented to utilize gravity to suck water within the enclosure 20 out through the suction passage 80, through an outflow tube 90 and into a water drainage system WD. The suction passage 80 is configured to always provide a pool P with a surface S within the enclosure 20. An inlet duct 40 directs dryer D exhaust air from the dryer D into the enclosure 20. An inlet vane 32 directs this dryer D exhaust air against the surface S of the pool P, causing lint within the dryer D exhaust air to be deposited within the pool P. An outlet duct 50 draws the dryer D exhaust air out of the enclosure 20. The pool P is refreshed with replacement water within the enclosure 20 every time the washer W drains water.

Abstract: A batter training device (10) is provided for training a batter (B) to effectively strike a baseball by controlling the batter's stance. The device (10) is positioned on the ground (G) in front of a leading foot (F) of the batter (B). During the batter's swing, the batter (B) steps forward with the leading foot (F) until the leading foot (F) strikes the device (10). The device (10) includes a rear plate (40) fixed to the ground (G) and a forward plate (20) hingedly attached to the rear plate (40). A spring (99) is oriented between the front plate (20) and the rear plate (40). The device (10) is oriented so that the front plate (20) will be located adjacent to a final destination for the leading foot (F) when the front plate (20) has been pivoted towards the rear plate (40) and against maximum spring (99) compression. The spring (99) is selected to exert sufficient force between the rear plate (40) and the front plate (20) so that the batter (B) must stride forcefully into the front plate (20).

Abstract: A progressive gaming system (10) which enables slot machines (100) at a variety of independent non-restricted gaming locations (casino sites) (80) to contribute to and compete for a set of common jackpots. The system (10) provides a secure and reliable real-time progressive system that is capable of operating on a variety of different manufacturers' makes and models of slot machines (100). A tightly controlled computer network (22) at a host site (20) oversees the entire system (10) and is the master for computing all jackpots. All participating casino sites (80) report to, and receive information from, the host site (20) exclusively. A casino site master controller (82) at each casino site is responsible for, inter alia, all data communication between the casino hardware and software and the host site (20). In addition, each "bank" (a group of attached gaming machines) at a casino site (80) has a bank controller (120) and progressive meter display (104).

Abstract: A releasably attachable manual dispensing aid is operable with a syringe having a syringe body and a syringe plunger that is movable within the syringe body. The dispensing aid includes a dispensing aid body that is releasably attachable to the syringe body. The dispensing aid further includes a dispensing aid plunger that is attachable to the syringe plunger, and has a slide that is slidable within the dispensing aid body. A fine adjustment, bottom stop, Chaney stop, and/or drag brake for the slide are optionally provided. An electronic linear position measuring device has a first portion fixed to the dispensing aid body and a second portion fixed to the dispensing aid plunger. Optionally, the dispensing aid includes a microprocessor that receives as inputs a calibration value for a particular syringe and the position signal, and determines as an output signal the true volume of liquid displaced by the syringe plunger movement.

Abstract: A water based crackle finish for surfaces includes a base coating having a low molecular weight polymer dissolved in an aqueous solution. Disposed on the dried base coating is a coating having an aqueous emulsion of a high molecular weight polymer which is dried. If desired, a stain coating, a sealer coating and a glaze coating and combinations thereof may be disposed on the surface under the base coating. Also, if desired, a fly-speck coating and a top coating may be applied over the crackle coating. A method of applying the coating is disclosed.

Abstract: A device (10) for a liquid application includes a liquid container (11), a hollow tubular liquid conduit (15) for liquid to pass to an applicator (16) secured to an applicator support (19). The applicator (16) includes a plate (20) with a hole (21) and a porous foam material (23) glued to the plate (20) above the hole (21). The applicator (16) is secured to the applicator support (19) by a ledge (39) with the holding lip (41) at three sides of the applicator support (19) and by a latching rib (42) on the fourth side. A set of the applicators (16) with different sizes of the holes (21) is provided to replace applicator (16) in use, if a different flow rate is desired or if the original applicator becomes unusable.

Abstract: A torque transmitting, bicycle frame coupling (50) is provided which connects to the frame tubes (1, 11) of a bicycle. The coupling (50) replaces a portion of the tubes (1, 11) and has clutch teeth (3, 7) on their engaging faces. Installation of two such couplings (50) allows a standard bicycle with standard wheels to be temporarily divided into two pieces, leaving sheathed component cables attached, but removing then from the frame tubes (96, 98) through use of quick connect cable clips (74). Once divided, the bicycle fits in a case (100) with a combined height, width and girth measurement no larger than 62 linear inches and can then be put back together with no loss of original frame geometry or stiffness. Each coupling (50) is actuated, pulling the tubes (1, 11) together and joining them through use of specialized clutch teeth (3, 7) under compression provided by a threaded lug (2), a removeable-shoulder lug (9) with a removeable shoulder (4) and a threaded coupling nut (5).

Abstract: A food preparation and serving plate (10) is provided which assists a disabled user in preparing and consuming food items placed thereon. The plate (10) includes a planar top surface (20) surrounded by a sidewall (50). A bottom surface (30) parallel to and beneath the top surface (20) includes a non-slip pad (40) thereon to secure the plate (10) to an underlying support surface. The sidewall (50) includes an overhang (60) on a portion of the sidewall (50) which includes a lip (62) which assists the user in loading a utensil, such as a spoon (S), with small food items. The top surface (20) includes a fulcrum (70) spaced above the top surface (20). The fulcrum (70) is utilized along with a knife (K.sub.1) to provide leverage in cleaving food items into bite-sized morsels. A tip (T) of the knife (K.sub.1) is placed under the fulcrum (70) and then a handle (H) of the knife (K.sub.1) is forced downward with a blade (B.sub.1) of the knife (K.sub.1) between the handle (H) and the tip (T) driving into the food item.

Abstract: A field trailer including a chassis (20) supported by a plurality of wheels (120) having an underlying framework that communicates with the wheels (120) via a swing arm assembly (40) and a vertically disposed wheel plate (80). One wheel plate supports one wheel. Interposed between the swing arm and the wheel plate is a damper (60) that controls the movement of the swing arm (40) about a pivot (28). The structure associated with this support mechanism provides a box-shaped void between the wheels and under the suspension and provides a high clearance free from suspension projections so that produce can run under the trailer when the trailer is used for agricultural transportation from a field to a subsequent area via public roads.

Abstract: A tap is disclosed wherein a cutting zone has bottom teeth with axial and radial form relief. A pilot means below the cutting zone has at least one zone of axial and radial form relief oriented opposite from the teeth form relief. A flute extends through both pilot means and cutting zone.

Abstract: Rapid cooling or freezing of foodstuffs, perishables or blood products is accomplished by using a thin film membrane to totally envelope the foodstuffs or blood product only during the heat extraction period. This thin film encapsulation system closes around the item and is held tightly to the item by atmospheric and/or hydrostatic pressure. Once the item is encapsulated, low temperature heat transfer fluids are then circulated on the exterior surface of the membrane, thus extracting the heat within the item through the thickness of the membrane. Upon completion of the necessary chilling or freezing, the atmospheric and/or hydrostatic pressure is withdrawn and the chilled or frozen item is extracted.

Abstract: A collapsible palletized container is provided including a base with individual sidewalls extending upward therefrom and a lid. The base includes grooves thereon which receive tongues attached to lower edges of the sidewalls. The tongues are angled so that the sidewalls are pivoted into position adjacent the base. The tongues and grooves are configured to prevent vertical translation of the sidewalls away from the base. Each sidewall includes two side edges including joints thereon to hold adjacent sidewalls together thereby obviating the need for girding straps to resist forces exerted horizontally by loads within the container. The sidewalls include ribs to reinforce the sidewalls. The lid connects to the sidewalls with clips connected therebetween.

Abstract: A syringe which has been prefilled to include a prescribed liquid and also a gas. The syringe includes a reservoir, a chamber which is in fluid communication with the reservoir and an outlet which is interposed between the chamber and the reservoir. Severing the chamber from the reservoir at the outlet will provide a syringe that includes a reservoir and an outlet. Prior to severing the chamber from the reservoir, the syringe may first be oriented such that all gas is directed into the chamber so that the syringe's reservoir will be completely filled with non-compressible fluid such as the medicating liquid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for monitoring and locating the presence of fluids leaking from a containment vessel. A multiplicity of probes having conductive affinity are strategically oriented adjacent the containment vessel and periodic surveillance is made relying on conductivity of the sub-surface media within which the probes have been placed, such that disturbances in the conductivity correlate with migration of the leaking fluid. The method and apparatus may be utilized to detect migration of salinated fluids into a region where previously less salination existed. The probes can be oriented adjacent a surface and yet determine a conductivity of the sub-surface media at a plurality of different pseudo-points having varying depths. The presence, location and extent of a leak can thus be monitored.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for solid phase extraction chromatography is disclosed in which the flow rate of a fluid, such as the motive pressurized gas is monitored, adjusted and compared with a standardized pressure curve which is correlative of a sample being processed. By monitoring and adjusting changes in flow rate, which can correspond to process initialization, beginning, ending and key fractionating points, and correlating to a standard, the cycle time for assaying the sample in question can be maximized and multiple samples can pass through analysis automatically and quickly.