Abstract: A low-density fire-retardant foam for use in furniture padding, thermal insulation and the like comprising a foamable blend of a polymer, an antimony oxide and a halogenated compound.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting animal excrement for disposal thereof. The apparatus comprises a harness adapted to fit over the posterior of the animal and a disposable excrement receiving bag that is releasably attached to the harness. The harness is economically constructed from a planar arrangement of interconnected flexible straps. The bag is fixed to the harness such that the bag covers an adjacent portion of the harness to minimize the risk of the soiling thereof by the excrement. The bags themselves do not require and are thus not provided with any fasteners and, therefore, may be changed frequently without sacrificing economy.

Abstract: Loose leaf folder having back and front cover panels and ring binder forming strips integral therewith for releasably fastening loose leaf sheets within the folder. The binder forming strips are struck from the back cover panel and include barbed tips. Retaining cutouts are provided in the front cover opposite the binder strips to register therewith. The barbed end of each strip is engageable with the cutouts to hold said strips in ring-like configuration for fastening hole punched loose leaf sheets within the folder.

Abstract: A trash bag filling device comprises a container having a base provided with air passages therethrough and an integral handle and further comprises a rigid frustoconical sidewall structure upstanding from the base. Alternatively, the air passages may be provided in the sidewall adjacent the base. Trash received within the device may be compressed therewithin, thereby forming a compacted plug of material having a tapered shape. The basal air passages prevent the creation of a vacuum between the trash and the base for ease in emptying the device into a trash bag. The tapered shape of the plug allows a bag in which the plug is received to be easily closed and tied without tearing.

Abstract: A diaphragm pump for use with corrosive fluids. The pump comprises a pair of opposed fluid chambers each defined in part by a flexible diaphragm. The pump also includes means for reciprocally driving the diaphragms and inlet and outlet check valves. The unique structure of the pump allows all wetted components thereof to be economically formed from a substantially chemically inert material such as polytetrafluoroethylene and the like.

Abstract: A memorandum pad-calendar comprising a base, including an inclined sheet supporting panel or wall having a sheet retention means disposed thereon and a sheet receiving compartment disposed below the inclined panel. Sheets having memoranda recording spaces on the front faces thereof and calendars printed on the back faces are releasably disposed on the inclined panel such that the sheets when overturned are automatically removed from the retention means and drop into the compartment. The compartment includes therewithin a stop which props the overturned sheets up against an inclined back wall thereby simultaneously exposing a calendar on the back face of a sheet with the front of the next succeeding sheet. Those dates on the calendar corresponding to the memoranda spaces on the next succeeding sheet may be italicized or otherwise accentuated.

Abstract: An improved slide for electrophotographic film which comprises a pair of slide frame forming panels hingedly connected along adjacent edges enabling the panels to be folded together in superposed relation. The inner surfaces of each panel is coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive which bonds an electrophotographic film to one panel. A transparent protective film or a second photographic film may be bonded to the other panel. A conductive foil strip is affixed along an edge of the film for providing a grounding contact required for imaging the film in a duplicating camera and a release paper is disposed over the adhesive coating of the other panel. Subsequent to imaging, a slide is formed by stripping off the release paper and folding the panels so that the adhesive coating bonds the inner surfaces together with the film being retained therebetween.

Abstract: Disclosed is a laser-imagable material comprising a transparent film having thereon a dried coating comprising graphite particles and binder. Also disclosed is the method of making the laser-imagable material and the method of imaging it.

Abstract: Improved high tension coil and electrical connector for the ignition system of an internal combustion engine. The secondary of an ignition coil is wound with the outer turn thereof electrically connected to a foil strip disposed on the outer surface of the coil. The coil is fitted within a housing adjacent a terminal for connection to a spark plug cable. A spring contact electrically connects the cable to the foil strip carried by the coil, the spring being tensioned against said coil to insure good electrical contact and maintain the components in assembled relation for the potting operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring an article between two mutually spaced locations comprises a rotatable and longitudinally translatable shaft, a sweep arm fixed to the shaft and adapted to carry suitable apparatus for gripping the article, a first drive motor operably connected to the shaft for imparting longitudinal movement thereto and a second drive motor, independent from the first and operably connected to the shaft for imparting rotational movement thereto. The apparatus is characterized by an economy of manufacture, efficiency of operation and a compactness which renders the apparatus suitable for adaptation o a variety of manufacturing environments.

Abstract: Collaspsible spout for dispensing fluent materials from containers such as used for various liquids and/or granular or powdered products. The container includes a top panel provided with an aperture. A lever is pivotally disposed to selectively open and close the aperture and carries on its underside a pliant sleeve sealed at one end about the periphery of the aperture and with its other end adapted to be opened adjacent the outer end of the pivotable lever. In closed position the lever in the form of a flat strip lies generally flush atop the container and for opening the container the lever is pivoted outwardly from the top of the container, thereby automatically extending and unfolding the pliant tubular sleeve. The aperture is reclosable by swinging the strip back against the top of the container. In an alternate embodiment, the lever is disposed within the pliant sleeve and includes a cutting tip at its inner end for cutting the aperture as the lever is pivoted upwardly.

Abstract: A pole-shoe magnet group assembly for a magnetomotive device such as a magneto for the ignition system of an internal combustion engine. The group carried by the rotor includes a permanent magnet and a pair of pole-shoes extending generally circumferentially from the magnet in opposite directions. A coil/core group for electromagnetic cooperation with the pole-shoe magnet group is disposed on the stator. The inner surface of each pole-shoe is defined by a circular arc having a center eccentric to the center of rotation of the rotor. The inner surfaces of the pole-shoes and the core of the trigger coil define an air gap or spacing which varies during rotation of each shoe relative to the core. The signal induced in the trigger coil by this construction inhibits unwanted firing of a solid state switching component and in a breakerless ignition in response to reverse rotation of the magnet pole-shoe group.

Abstract: Loose leaf binder composed of an arcuate back panel, pivotable cover panels and a toggle ring mechanism which is affixed to the inner concave surface of the back panel. The toggle mechanism includes spaced leaf ring members each composed of a pair of mating sections pivotable with the toggle mechanism between open and closed positions. Each ring member is defined by rectilinear leg portions extending outwardly of the toggle mechanism, upwardly and inwardly extending arm portions and transversely extending arcuate rail portions supported by the arm portions of the ring in spaced relation to the arcuate back panel. Each of the arm portions has a unidirectional slope and with a corner of generous radius fairs together with each rail portion, enabling the loose leaf sheets held on the rings to be smoothly swung from one side to the other of the binder.

Abstract: A log quartering wedge comprises a splitting wedge having a pair of opposed converging lateral surfaces meeting at a leading chisel edge and a pair of generally planar quartering blades disposed perpendicular to the leading edge of the wedge. The blades each include a generally straight leading edge defining an acute angle with the adjacent lateral surface of the wedge. The outer tips of the blades are set back longitudinally from the leading edge of the wedge.

Abstract: Apparatus for imaging electrophotographic film which has a short focal length optical gate for focusing a monochromatic light pattern onto the photoconductive layer of electrostatically charged film. The gate transmits and focuses the imaging light onto the film which is advanced over the surface of the optical gate while being lubricated by an optical liquid having an index of refraction closely matching that of the optical gate. The optical gate and liquid transmit and focus the images on the film at their point of contact. The optical gate may be a cylindrical rod which also may serve in part to define a reservoir for an electrophoretic liquid or toner which blends with the optical liquid adjacent the focal point of the optical gate.

Abstract: An electrical resistance heater includes a pliable thermally insulative base grooved in a major surface thereof and a flexible electrical resistance heating wire fitted within the groove. The heating wire insulated throughout its length is elastically gripped by the base and the outer surface portion of the heating wire throughout its length extends outwardly of the major surface of the base, providing a unidirectional heat source for use as a "spot heater". Connections of the heating wire to lead wires are disposed within two preformed cavities provided in the major surface of the base. The cavities open in the same direction as the groove and a suitable moisture impervious insulating material disposed within the cavities seals the connections.

Abstract: A hanger filing device adaptable for horizontal and vertical file orientation includes an integral binder element comprising a pair of longitudinally extending spaced flanges which define an open channel for receiving file material. A hinge pin is disposed within the binder element and extends outwardly of the ends thereof. The flanges include notched extensions for slidably engaging spaced rails of a hanging file rack. The flanges include spaced opposed apertures dimensioned to receive any of a variety of fastening devices for binding file material between the flanges. The hinge pin provides a post support for the vertical disposition of the binder element within an upright file.

Abstract: Rotor for a magnetomotive device in the form of an annular casting having a cavity or slot formed in the periphery thereof. The cavity includes locating surfaces. A permanent magnet is held in clamping relation within said cavity between a pair of pole pieces which include arcuate pole faces coaxial with the rotor. Retaining pins disposed in registered recesses of the cavity and pole pieces hold said pole pieces in said slot and urge surface portions thereof radially against said locating surfaces which are oriented to cause the pole pieces to exert clamping forces against the magnet disposed therebetween with the pole faces disposed in coaxial relation in the rotor.

Abstract: A durable, light-weight interliner exhibiting enhanced insulative and cushioning properties is produced from a blend of approximately equal parts of a thermoplastic elastomer and an ionomer foamed by a normally gaseous expanding agent.

Abstract: A loudspeaker enclosure comprises a shell having an opening therein and a loudspeaker mounting baffle disposed over the opening. The shell is formed entirely from one or more diaphragm members or passive radiators which oscillate in response to selected low frequency sound waves emanating from a loudspeaker mounted within the enclosure. The diaphragms forming the shell reinforce the forward acoustic radiation from the loudspeaker and militate against the formation of standing waves within the enclosure.