Abstract: A transport hood for protecting personnel from exposure to the bodily fluids of a detainee includes a top portion, a bottom portion joined to the top portion and a cinching grommet. The top portion is made of a transparent, fine mesh material and has a continuous lowermost edge. The bottom portion is made of a breathable, fluid impervious material and has a continuous uppermost edge and a continuous lowermost edge. Preferably, a first length of elastic is sewn to the lowermost edge of the top portion and to the uppermost edge of the bottom portion to gather the bottom portion of the transport hood below the eyes of the detainee. A second length of elastic is preferably sewn to the lowermost edge of the bottom portion to gather the bottom portion just below the chin of the detainee. Preferably, the cinching grommet is a thin disk having an opening formed therethrough for grasping and securing a variable amount of the excess material of the top portion of the transport hood.

Abstract: A composite yarn formed of melt-fusible thermoplastic fibers combined with selected other fibers and/or materials includes a containment barrier that encapsulates one or more core materials which may present a threat of contamination to workers and/or the environment. The composite yarn includes a core covered by an adhesive layer of thermoplastic material which forms a containment barrier, combined with one or more subsequent overlying layers of fibers wrapped or otherwise applied thereto using conventional yarn construction methods. In a preferred embodiment the core material is coated with a liquid adhesive, and preferably a polyester-based polyurethane which contains silicon grit, just prior to being wrapped with one or more layers of fibers which form the containment barrier. The cured and finished composite yarn is designed for knitting and weaving fabrics, or for otherwise forming cordage and non-woven products.

Abstract: An adjustable male condom securely retains the male condom on the penis of the wearer, thereby effectively preventing unwanted pregnancy and protecting against communicable diseases transmitted by the exchange of bodily fluids. The adjustable male condom includes a flaccid pouch made of an elastic, thin, disposable film material that is impervious to bodily fluids. The flaccid pouch includes an elongate, hollow, generally cylindrical body defining a longitudinal axis and having a first end and a closed second end. The adjustable male condom further includes a flaccid pouch harness attached to the first end of the body of the flaccid pouch. The flaccid pouch harness includes an annular retaining ring and a pair of elongate retaining straps. Each of the retaining straps has a first end attached to the retaining ring and a second end that remains unattached. Preferably, the retaining ring has a gap formed therein between the pair of retaining straps.

Abstract: A male condom harness securely retains a conventional male condom on the penis of the wearer, thereby effectively preventing unwanted pregnancy and protecting against communicable diseases transmitted by the exchange of bodily fluids. The male condom harness includes an annular retaining ring defining a longitudinal axis and having a first end and a second end. The male condom harness further includes at least one application handle attached to the retaining ring and depending outwardly therefrom. The application handle is utilized to properly apply the male condom harness on the penis of the wearer. In a preferred embodiment, the male condom harness further includes at least one retaining band attached to the retaining ring and depending generally rearwardly therefrom. In another preferred embodiment, the male condom harness further includes a pair of elongate retaining straps. Each of the retaining straps has a first end attached to the retaining ring and a second end that remains unattached.

Abstract: A heat suppressing wrap is provided for suppressing the transfer of thermal energy along a pipe during a thermal joining operation, such as a high temperature, open flame welding, brazing or soldering operation. The heat suppressing wrap is a blended fabric cloth made of at least 50% cotton that is saturated with a liquid solution of a heat, fire and smoke inhibiting agent, and preferably, a fire fighting agent. The fire fighting agent is preferably a fire fighting foam, and most preferably, is PYROCAP B-136.TM. fire fighting foam manufactured by PYROCAP International, Inc. of Woodbridge, Va. Short lengths of the wrap are rolled and placed in a container with the liquid solution so that the cloth wraps remain saturated with the fire fighting agent. The wraps are then positioned, and preferably wrapped, over the pipe adjacent a pipe joint to greatly reduce the transfer of thermal energy along the pipe generated by the thermal joining operation.

Abstract: An evaporative cooling system for cooling a poultry house includes at least one evaporative cooling pad, a bracket extruded from a lightweight, plastic or galvanized steel for supporting the evaporative cooling pad adjacent an opening formed in the sidewall of the poultry house, and an improved means for wetting the evaporative cooling pad. The bracket includes a base, an attachment leg depending from one side of the base, and a pair of retaining legs spaced sufficiently from the attachment leg and depending from the one side of the base. The retaining legs are spaced sufficiently from the attachment leg to permit a ventilation curtain mounted to the sidewall of the poultry house to be raised and lowered without interference from the bracket and the evaporative cooling pads. The evaporative cooling system further includes an automatic control means including a programmable logic controller (PLC), a timer, and a solenoid.

Abstract: An evaporative cooling system and a method of cooling a poultry house includes at least one evaporative cooling pad, a bracket extruded from a lightweight, plastic or galvanized steel for supporting the evaporative cooling pad adjacent an opening formed in the sidewall of the poultry house, and an improved device for wetting the evaporative cooling pad. The bracket includes a base, an attachment leg depending from one side of the base, and a pair of retaining legs spaced sufficiently from the attachment leg and depending from the one side of the base. The retaining legs are spaced sufficiently from the attachment leg to permit a ventilation curtain mounted to the sidewall of the poultry house to be raised and lowered without interference from the bracket and the evaporative cooling pads. The evaporative cooling system further includes an automatic control apparatus including a programmable logic controller (PLC), a timer, and a solenoid.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing variable identifying information on the tape is disclosed. In a particular application, the apparatus replaces a labeling station and is combined with a case sealing station to seal cases with adhesive sealing tape on a conventional production line. The apparatus includes a variable image printer, and preferably a thermal printer. The thermal printer preferably includes a thermal transfer print head and a thermal transfer ribbon specially engineered to print through the release agent on the face of the tape. The tape is dispensed from a tape unwind spool and is routed past the print head with the thermal transfer ribbon positioned between the print head and the face of the tape, and the face of the tape opposite the print head. The thermal transfer ribbon is co-engineered with the tape to be compatible with the physical characteristics and chemical composition of the tape.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing variable identifying information on the face of tape is disclosed. In a particular application, the apparatus replaces a labeling station and is combined with a case sealing station to seal cases of products with adhesive sealing tape on a conventional production line. The apparatus includes a variable image printer, and preferably a thermal printer. The thermal printer preferably includes a thermal transfer print head and a thermal transfer ribbon. The tape is dispensed from a tape unwind spool and is routed past the print head with the thermal transfer ribbon positioned between the print head and the face of the tape, and the face of the tape opposite the print head. The thermal transfer ribbon is specially formulated to be compatible with the physical characteristics and chemical composition of the tape.

Abstract: A casing board for organizing, storing, protecting and displaying communications media, such as papers, audio and video cassettes and compact discs, includes a substrate made of a relatively rigid material. The substrate includes a front cover portion, a rear cover portion and a spine portion positioned between and hingedly connected to the front cover portion and the rear cover portion. The casing board further includes an outer wrap made of a flexible, polyolefin material and sized to have longitudinal and lateral dimensions slightly greater than the longitudinal and lateral dimensions of the substrate. The outer wrap is positioned adjacent the exterior surface of the substrate with the longitudinal and lateral edges of the outer wrap turned over the periphery of the substrate and affixed, preferably with an adhesive, to the interior surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A composite yarn formed of melt-fusible thermoplastic fibers combined with selected other fibers and/or materials includes a containment barrier that encapsulates one or more core materials which may present a threat of contamination to workers and/or the environment. The composite yarn includes a core covered by an adhesive layer of thermoplastic material which forms a containment barrier, combined with one or more subsequent overlying layers of fibers wrapped or otherwise applied thereto using conventional yarn construction methods. In a preferred embodiment the core material is coated with a liquid adhesive, and preferably a polyester-based polyurethane which contains silicon grit, just prior to being wrapped with one or more layers of fibers which form the containment barrier. The cured and finished composite yarn is designed for knitting and weaving fabrics, or for otherwise forming cordage and non-woven products.

Abstract: A dry disconnect coupling is provided for connecting one fluid conduit to another to form a continuous, essentially fluid-tight path. The coupling includes an adapter and a coupler which, when coupled together, define a flow passageway therethrough. The adapter includes a hollow, generally cylindrical adapter body, adapter valve means and improved means for releasing the adapter from the coupler. The coupler includes a hollow, generally cylindrical coupler body, coupler valve means, improved connecting means for providing a rigid, fluid-tight connection between the adapter and the coupler, an annular connecting sleeve, sleeve override means, an annular nosepiece, nosepiece override means, improved sealing means for sealing the coupling and a cam assembly for cooperating with the sleeve override means, the nosepiece override means and the coupler valve means.

Abstract: A label tamp is provided for delivering and applying a linerless adhesive label to the outside surface of a container transported on a conveyor to the labeling station of a production line. The label tamp includes a tamp cylinder defining an axis of extension that is generally normal to the outside surface of the container, a tamp arm secured to the tamp cylinder such that the tamp arm is alternately extensible and retractable, a tamp arm base plate rigidly fixed to the tamp arm and a tamp head assembly. Preferably, the tamp head assembly is secured to a lift plate has a pair of parallel recesses for receiving a pair of linear actuators therein so that the tamp head assembly is linearly movable relative to the tamp arm base plate.

Abstract: A textile wet processing machine includes a processing chamber having an adjustable inner wall. The inner wall is continuously adjustable to accommodate textile fabrics in cloth rope form having great variations in weight, texture, thickness, flexibility and load. The inner wall may be positioned at any position relative to the outer wall of the processing chamber between a predetermined innermost position and a predetermined outermost position. In a preferred embodiment, adjustment is accomplished by a worm gear assembly, a transverse drive shaft coupled to the worm gear assembly and a linkage assembly. The worm gear assembly includes a worm gear positioned within a gear box housing that is rotated manually by a hand wheel, or is rotated automatically by an electric drive motor or pneumatic positioner programmed by an electronic processor to set the volumetric size of the processing chamber in accordance with a preselected textile fabric.

Abstract: A decorative bathroom furnishing to be placed in a bathroom provides concealed, sanitary storage of bathroom accessories and cleaning supplies, such as a toilet plunger, a toilet cleaning brush, a pair of rubber gloves and a roll of toilet tissue. The bathroom accessories and cleaning supplies are located in a hollow chamber defined by the bathroom furnishing. Access to the bathroom accessories and cleaning supplies is provided through a door section. A hook is provided for hanging the toilet cleaning brush. An upwardly depending post on a cantilevered shelf, or alternatively, an inwardly depending post, is provided to hold the paper core of the roll of toilet tissue. The base assembly of the bathroom furnishing is provided with an angled drainage grate having a plurality of holes therethrough positioned over a cavity which serves as a catch basin.

Abstract: The present invention is a composite layered protective fabric having an outer primary layer composed of an abrasive material and an inner primary layer composed of an inherently cut-resistant material positioned below the outer primary layer and when assembled into a garment is positioned proximate to the wearer's skin. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a secondary layer is added to the inner and outer layer framework. The secondary layer is composed of a material that provides additional protection against potential threats other than cuts, that increases comfort or that improves aesthetics. The invented composite fabric is continuously manufactured in a one-step process which plates the layers of yarn. Thus formed, the invented composite fabric can be formed into cut-resistant apparel and articles that provide a high level of protection against sharp objects.

Abstract: A system and method for treating laundry with ozone is provided including a controller that receives a load signal based on a wash load selection. In response to the load signal, the controller transmits a power supply control signal to a variable power supply to vary an output potential to an ozone generator. The controller transmits a dryer control signal to an air dryer to provide desiccated air to the ozone generator. The controller transmits a sparging pump control signal to a sparging pump to pump the ozone generated by the ozone generator to a sparging rod adjacent the drain of a laundry machine where the ozone is dispersed directly into the wash liquor. In a preferred embodiment, an adapter removably secures the sparging rod to the wall of the laundry machine so that the sparging rod may be readily removed for cleaning, repair or replacement.

Abstract: A system and method for treating laundry with ozone is provided including a controller that receives a load signal based on a wash load selection. In response to the load signal, the controller transmits a power supply control signal to a variable power supply to vary an output potential to an ozone generator. The controller transmits a dryer control signal to an air dryer to provide desiccated air to the ozone generator. The controller transmits a sparging pump control signal to a sparging pump to pump the ozone generated by the ozone generator to a sparging rod adjacent the sump of the laundry machine where the ozone is dispersed directly into the wash liquor. In a preferred embodiment, an adapter removably secures the sparging rod to the wall of the laundry machine so that the sparging rod may be readily removed for cleaning, repair or replacement.