Abstract: The invention relates to a warp knitting loom with individually driven guide bars that are controlled by a control device. A linear motor is used, resulting in a particularly space-saving and flexible driving apparatus. This motor has at least two driving elements which are each connected to a guide bar and can move back and forth in a common stator with a closed magnetic circuit. Each driving element has at least one drive coil which is connected to the control device and whose winding plane is transversal to the magnetic flux.

Abstract: A user purchases a card and uses it to make pre-paid telephone calls via a telephone service provider system associated with the issuer of the card. After the account balance on the card is depleted, the user can present the card to a merchant or other party for redemption in the manner of a discount coupon for products or services.

Abstract: A self-heating or self-cooling container has a container body, a closure at one end of the body through which the contents of the container can be consumed, and a thermic module at the other end of the body having an actuator portion and an elongated reaction chamber portion that extends distally into the container body and contains a liquid reactant relatively more distally from the actuator portion than a solid reactant separated from the liquid reactant by a breakable barrier. When a user actuates the thermic module, an elongated actuator member punctures the barrier. The user can then immediately invert the container, allowing the liquid reactant to drain through the puncture into the solid reactant in the reaction chamber. The reactants mix and produce a reaction that, depending upon the reactants, either heats or cools the container contents by conduction through the thermic module wall. An advantage is that the user does not need to wait to invert the container after actuating it.

Abstract: A backstop assembly for receiving projectiles, such as bullets. The assembly includes a plate inclined relative to the floor. The plate is covered with loose resilient particles such as rubber, but the rubber is not contained within another medium, nor is it enclosed within a box. A bullet entering the loose particles does not fragment because it is so much harder than the particles. Because the particles move out of the way of the bullet, rather than receive it, the bullets may be separated from the particles, and no lead dust is created by a fragmenting bullet.

Abstract: Apparatus and an associated method of operation are disclosed for removal of gaseous contaminants, particularly oxygen, from closed containers. The apparatus is economical, simple to install and operate, of convenient size, and highly effective. A gas extractor communicates with a container for a gas-sensitive product. A high gas concentration in the container causes operation of the extractor until the gas concentration is reduced to a desired low level, when the extractor operation stops. Separate sensors and controllers responsive to concentrations can be present, or the extractor can be self-actuated by use as a power source of a battery which operates on gas generated by operation of the extractor. The system preferably is used for oxygen extraction from containers holding oxygen-sensitive contents. The preferred extractor includes an electrochemical cell which has a ion-permeable membrane disposed between two electrodes.

Abstract: An air circulation and mixing device is disclosed which can cover a ceiling air ventilation duct, taking air discharged from the duct and drawing air at the room's ceiling, mixing the two, and redirecting the mixed air so that it is discharged radially and parallel to the ceiling, rather than directly downwardly. The device has an open frame whose sides may be covered with removable air filtration media and which forms a primary interior having a lower aperture and normally an upper aperture. An open-sided grille below the lower aperture forms a secondary space. A fan is mounted within the primary space and turns blades within the lower aperture and a disk at the bottom of the secondary space. An annular plate surrounding the fan housing blocks downward flow of incoming air and forces the air to flow radially outwardly around the edge of the plate, thus also insuring good mixing with the incoming ceiling air.

Abstract: The present invention is a centrifuge essentially comprised of a rotor and a transparent cover which can be fixed to the rotor. The cover is provided with a plurality of spaced concentration lines each extending around the cover and a plurality of different graduated scales extending radially from the center of the cover across the concentration lines at spaced angular intervals. The rotor and the cover also have opposing snap lock elements at a central portion of the rotor and the cover.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pressure compensator (11) for use with irrigation devices (8) where the pressure compensator (11) is used to control a flow of water. The compensator (11) comprises elastomeric disc (15), a substantially concave seating surface (13) which is covered by the disc (15), the seating surface (13) having a peripheral edge (22) against which the disc (15) locates, and at least one recess portion (26) on the periphery on the seating surface (13) that results in an aperture between the disc (15) and the seating surface (13) when no force is applied to the disc (15), and which provides flow control resulting from the edge of the disc (15) flexing into the recess (26) when force is applied to the disc (15). Significantly less force is required to flex the edge of the disc (15) into the recess (26) which results in control of fluid flow at much lower pressures by comparison known fluid control devices.

Abstract: A hydrostatic pressure equalizer device is attached to the lower submerged end of a gas supply line. A hollow housing forms an internal cavity having a closed upper end and a lower end, and an end plate extends over at least part of the lower end to leave a gap for liquid flow into the cavity. The gas supply line extends through the end plate and upwardly into the cavity to terminate at a raised position which will be in an air pocket above the liquid level in the cavity. A pressure monitoring instrument connected to the line detects pressure in the air pocket, which in turn is equal to the hydrostatic pressure in the cavity and the surrounding liquid.

Abstract: A permeable core mat having a plurality of flow channels is saturated in a resin mixture by directing the resin mixture through the plurality of flow channels. A fiberglass sheet is secured to the permeable core mat with the resin mixture. The resin mixture is allowed to cure to resulting in a fiber reinforced composite board having a support structure formed within the plurality of flow channels.

Abstract: A shopping cart has a wheeled base, a frame projecting upwardly from the base, the frame having a lower portion and an upper portion stepped rearwardly from the lower portion, a first basket projecting forwardly from the lower portion of the frame, and a second basket projecting forwardly from the upper portion of the frame. The rear wall of the lower basket is fixed in position, and carts can be nested together by positioning the lower basket of a first cart beneath the upper basket of a second cart, with no moving parts required for nesting.

Abstract: A security apparatus for a shopping cart or other wheeled vehicle having a plurality of casters has a braking member rotatably mounted on a wheel axle of one of the wheels. The braking member is movable between a raised position spaced above the ground surface and an operative position contacting the ground surface, and has a portion projecting radially outwardly from the outer peripheral rim of the wheel at least in the operative position so as to separate the wheel from the ground and impede movement of the vehicle. A locking device releasably locks the braking member in the raised position, and is released by a trigger device in response to a signal from a signal system extending around an area in which carts are to be retained, at which point the braking member rotates into the operative position, stopping normal movement of the cart.