Abstract: The nursing garment of this invention is in the nature of a bib, small enough to be easily carried with a baby's paraphernalia and easily positioned over a user's conventional outerwear when desired. The bib-like garment is preferably made from flannel into a body portion with a loop to pass over the head of a user, a panel that can be adjusted by the user to form either one or two openings for the breasts or to cover the breasts, as desired, and a second layer of privacy provided by at least one freely hanging flap extending over the panel. Reinforced edging extends around all sides of the garment.

Abstract: A filter housing assembly has a tubular standpipe to support successive filter elements within a filter housing closed by a closure plate. A spindle is fixed to the inner surface of the closure plate in position to move into the upper end of the standpipe when the closure plate is in position to close the housing. A top filter support is fixed to the spindle in position to be seated on top of a filter in the housing when the closure plate is in position to close the housing. A skirt extends downwardly from the closure plate to deflect leaks.

Abstract: An economical hydrotherapy apparatus is provided for domestic use in conventional bathtubs. The apparatus includes a hydrotherapy chair and a relatively movable aerating pad, molded from plastic, that are placed in a bathtub for use with the seat of the chair at or near the surface of water in the bathtub. The aerating pad is spaced about eight inches below the surface of the water. An air compressor, located outside the bathtub, provides air that is delivered into the water from penetrations in the aerating pad. The introduction of compressed air at a depth of about eight inches creates therapeutic undulations of water against the seat and posterior of the user at the surface of the water.

Abstract: The mud pan of this invention includes the usual trough, with a bottom wall, parallel end walls and side walls diverging upwardly from the bottom wall, and a waste receptacle comprising an outer wall that extends in diverging relation from one side wall of the trough. The worker is thus enabled to easily and efficiently dispose of dirty mud by scraping a putty knife with dirty mud against the outer wall of the waste receptacle instead of creating a mess by slinging the dirty mud on the floor. The contents of a filled waste receptacle will be periodically dumped at a suitable location, such as a nearby barrel.

Abstract: A tape measure frame assembly is provided for installation within the handle of a hand tool. The assembly includes a gearing connection between the tape and a retracting spring, which enables the assembly to be elongated in conformity with the tool handle. When the hand tool is used, the tape measure is always present when needed.

Abstract: An incandescent heating unit uses a low wattage incandescent light bulb to warm the occupant of a metal chair. The light bulb generates heat which is absorbed by the metal and radiated to the occupant. A dispersion disk spaced between the bulb and the chair prevents the formation of a hot spot in the portion of the chair nearest the bulb.

Abstract: A composite bottom sheet or crib sheet comprises a first moisture proof panel overlying the mattress with a surface comfortable for a user and a second panel subjacent the first panel and extending under the mattress during use. Hook and loop fasteners intermesh on top of the mattress to connect the two panels and permit removal of the moisture proof panel when soiled.

Abstract: A carbonation cap is provided for use with a conventional screw top bottle having an externally threaded neck. The carbonation cap is correspondingly internally threaded and includes one or more resilient seals which collectively function as check valves, pressure relief valves, and flow seals to enable the fermentation and carbonation of beer without transferring the beer from the bottle in which it was brewed. The resilient seals also enable the carbonation of soft drinks, or beer, from an external source of pressurized carbon dioxide. All of the foregoing is accomplished without at any time exposing the beverage or its components to the deletorious effects of the oxygen in the atmosphere.

Abstract: A snap lock connector is provided for positively mechanically locking two articles together while enabling their immediate separation responsive to the push of a button. The device comprises a bifurcated locking member extending from a first article and normally urged outwardly into locking position within a chamber in a second article. A push-button surmounts the locking member and projects outwardly from the second article. When the push-button is depressed, it overcomes the spring tendency of the locking member and moves the bifurcated locking portion together enabling to be withdrawn from the second article, whereupon the second article may be separated from the first article. The invention is capable of many uses, including the locking of a knife in its sheath.

Abstract: A newspaper vending machine having a vertically movable inclined platform supporting a group of newspapers, a stationary dispensing wedge having an inclined upper surface, a drive shaft operatively connected to the platform, a dispensing chute and a crank to rotate the shaft to elevate the platform and raise successive newspapers above the dispensing wedge and dispense them by gravity through a dispensing chute, in combination with a clutch between the drive shaft and the crank normally disengaging the shaft from the crank, and a coin mechanism to activate the clutch and engage the shaft with the crank to raise the platform and dispense a newspaper.

Abstract: A pallet is provided for farrowing pens and structured to prevent the sow from crushing newborn piglets. The pallet comprises an enthickened central portion having a flat upper surface and laterally sloping side panels extending downwardly and outwardly from the upper longitudinal edges of the central portion. Heating means are provided along the lower longitudinal edge of each side panel and the heating means is insulated from direct contact with the pallets. The heat attracts the piglets away from the sow and the insulation maintains the enthickened central portion at the ambient temperature of the farrowing pen for the sow's comfort.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel method and means for carbonating liquids in the container from which the liquids are served to the consumer with a minimum of carbonating gas and for maintaining and enhancing carbonation of the remaining liquid without expensive regulatory apparatus after withdrawal of a portion of the carbonated liquid. Inherent in the means and method to induce and regulate carbonation, the invention provides both means and method for regulating or substantially limiting the maximum volume of liquid introduced into the carbonation chamber as well as a means and method to purge air from the carbonation chamber. According to the invention, a fixed volume vessel and a dynamic capacity carbonating chamber, a pump and relief valves enable consistent carbonation and regulation of the carbonating pressure prior to and following dispensing of carbonated liquids while utilizing a finite, minimum quantity of carbonating gas.