Abstract: There is provided a moisture-responsive system for protecting the interior of an enclosure such as a motor vehicle which includes an opening; a closure for the opening; a moisture sensor for providing a moisture signal in response to sensing of moisture in excess of a predetermined threshold; a circuit coupled to the closure and the moisture sensor for providing a signal to actuate the closure in response to receipt of a moisture signal and for sensing obstructions of the closure and temporarily terminating the actuation of the closure in response thereto.There is also provided an improved moisture sensor comprising conductive plates separated by and supported on an insulating layer with a raised bulbous portion which extends above the plates to predetermine the amount of moisture necessary to electronically bridge the gap between the conductive plates and therefore the level at which the sensor commences to sense moisture.

Abstract: A folding chair has three U-shaped frame members supporting the seat and back rest and providing arm supports, and two connecting links controlling folding and unfolding for storage and use. Flexible material for the seat and back rest is removably attached to two cross members and to one frame member. Two frame members which form the legs cross and are pivoted together at the sides of the chair, and fold or scissor together front-to-back for folding and storage of the chair. The base of the U of the third frame member in a use position extends across the chair behind the back rest, and the sides form arm rests and extend forwardly to pivot connections at the front of the chair. A pair of links joins and supports the arms adjacent the rear frame member. For storage, the arm frame moves rearwardly and down about the links, folding the two leg frames together until the front pivot connections pass behind the back rest. The arm frame and links lock the first and second leg frame members together.

Abstract: Pure polymer, such as polyester used in photographic film and in plastic walls of drink bottles or polycarbonate used in high-quality plastic beverage bottles, is separated from thin saran and like coating layers of a multi-layer film or sheet in a dry process. The coating layer is typically 1/2% or less of the total sheet or film thickness. The dry abrasion process in one form comprises rotating and mixing a volume of dry plastic chips of said film or sheet with about two volumes of small, hard abrasive particles such as quartzite aggregate, glass cullet, or the like, for a time just sufficient to abrade the thin coating layer from the film or sheet. The abrasive particles and the coating dust are separated from the pure polymer by air classifiers. The resulting polymer chips are clean and dry and are immediately available for pelletizing and reuse. Polymer may also be recovered from the dust, as by electrostatic separation.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously machining three circumferential surfaces of a circular workpiece. The device includes a frame having support for securing the workpiece thereto. A center tube rotatably supported by the frame extends into the interior of the circular workpiece and supports diametrically opposed spindle arms. One spindle arm supports a pair of rotatably grinding wheels disposed to grind parallel horizontal surfaces on the workpiece. The other spindle arm supports a rotatable grinding wheel for machining the interior radial surface of the workpiece. The position of the grinding wheels may be accurately controlled by dovetail slides and handwheels. The grinding wheels are rotated with respect to their spindle arms and the center tube is rotated so as to move the grinding wheels about the circumference of the workpiece to simultaneously machine each of the three surfaces of the workpiece.

Abstract: A lifter for emptying a container into a cavity of a vehicle. The lifter has a first plate pivotally connected to the vehicle, and a second plate extending at an angle from the first plate. The lifter has a third plate slidably mounted on the second plate, with the third plate having a pair of hooks to grasp bars on the container. The lifter moves between a first lower position beneath the truck to a second upper position with the container located above the cavity to empty the container into the cavity.

Abstract: A flowable, pressure-compensating material, confined in an envelope, comprises a flowable, continuous-phase of oil having dispersed therein discrete hollow microbeads and a colloidal silica. The pressure-compensating material, which is flowable in response to continuously applied pressure, but is essentially non-flowable in the absence of pressure, is relatively insensitive to temperature variations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for the detoxification of polymeric film chip materials which have been contaminated with cyanide compounds during the process for the reclamation of their silver content. The present invention includes the steps of providing within a substantially impervious container a quantity of polymeric film chip materials containing a cyanide compound, and then submerging the cyanide containing polymeric film chip materials in a solution containing hypochlorite ion at a pH of approximately 9.5 to 10.5 until the cyanide in the polymeric film chip material is substantially converted into cyanate. In preferred alternative embodiments the treatment solution is replaced with a second treatment solution containing hypochlorite ion and having a pH of approximately 7.5 to 8 until the cyanate is substantially converted into carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases. Mixing means in the form of influent and effluent means are provided in such apparatus.

Abstract: A gown, such as for a patient's use in a hospital or doctor's office, has front and rear openings extending from the neck to the hem. The rear of the gown is permanently closed at the neck only, with an overlap between the left and right side panels extending to the hem. The gown can be opened anywhere down the back, below the neckline, between the overlapped panels. One or more releasable ties at the back maintain the patient's modesty. The front panels of the gown are not permanently closed but are joined in overlapping relation by releasable ties. The gown thus can be put on like a coat, and easily tied by a patient in the front. A doctor or nurse can nonetheless readily remove the gown from the patient over the head, or pull the gown aside, for examination or treatment.

Abstract: A polymer layer of polyester or polyvinyl chloride is recovered from a multilayered scrap or waste chip material by contacting the chip material with an aqueous solution containing a base metal hydroxide and a reagent selected from the group consisting of a salt, an amine, and an oxidizing agent. The removal process is accelerated by using, either singularly or in combination, an alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, heat, or agitation. Thereafter the polymer layer is isolated and recovered.

Abstract: A manual label applicator is provided for use in a commodity weighing and labeling station. As a preprinted label is advanced from a printing station in a cantilever fashion, a label applicator having a roll with knife edges thereon causes said label to be creased in the direction of travel. Creasing of the label tends to keep it rigid and reliably hold it in a orientation suitable for manual application either through impact or by physically removing the label by hand. The knife edges or ridges on the roll further cooperate with fluting provided in a sliding surface for facilitating the partial creasing of the label as it advances through the label applicator.

Abstract: A portable electric humidifier uses a flexible, disposable bag as a container for water, to provide a compact, collapsible, and easily portable system. A humidifier head contains a motor and an air humidifying apparatus such as a spinning disk and conical shaft. The head is supported on folding legs. The flexible bag is supported by and hangs beneath the humidifier head. The conical shaft extends downwardly from the spinning disk and draws water from the bag and conveys it to the disk, from which it is dispersed in an air stream into a room. The shaft in one embodiment telescopes, to occupy a minimum vertical distance for storage within the height of the folded legs, and in another embodiment is removable for storage. The flexible bag container is inexpensive and may be discarded after use at one location, prior to packing for further travel. Thus, the humidifier provides overnight humidification for a hotel room or the like, while being conveniently packable for transportation in any small suitcase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for the detoxification of polymeric film chip materials which have been contaminated with cyanide compounds during the process for the reclamation of their silver content. The present invention includes the steps of providing within a substantially impervious container a quantity of polymeric film chip materials containing a cyanide compound, and then submerging the cyanide containing polymeric film chip materials in a solution containing hypochlorite ion at a pH of approximately 9.5 to 10.5 until the cyanide in the polymeric film chip material is substantially converted into cyanate. In preferred alternative embodiments the treatment solution is replaced with a second treatment solution containing hypochlorite ion and having a pH of approximately 7.5 to 8 until the cyanate is substantially converted into carbon dioxide and nitrogen gases. Mixing means in the form of influent and effluent means are provided in such apparatus.

Abstract: Potable (drinking) water systems of recreational vehicles, boats, vacation homes, and the like, need to be protected against freezing during periods of non-use during the cold winter season. Typical propylene glycol antifreeze additives are effective but expensive. It has been found that use of an inhibitor solution based on food-grade corn syrup effectively boosts the effectiveness of propylene glycol so that as little as 19% plus or minus 0.25% by liquid volume is optimally used together with about 10% of a food-grade corn syrup in an anti-freeze solution for -50% protection. This is a more economical and effective system than previously known in commercialized systems heretofore maintained as trade secrets by the inventors and the assignee.

Abstract: A spray head is disclosed which is capable of generating a pulsating spray and is particularly suited for domestic shower and bath use. The spray head employs a rotor which, as it is turned by flowing water, axially reciprocates to alternately open and restrict a water flow passageway through the spray head. Means are also provided for adjusting the spray head to provide a continuous spray with the rotor continuing to rotate, thus reducing the risk of rotor clogging or freezing.

Abstract: An orthopedic belt eases sacroiliac joint pain by compressing soft pelvic tissue against the sacrum and ilium, to support and immobilize the sacro-iliac joints. The belt consists solely of flat, woven webbing forming a band about four to six inches wide, and a fastening device at the front. The belt encircles the patient at the level between the anterior superior iliac spines and the greater trochanters of the femurs. It is fastened with enough tension to compress the soft tissue as desired. Ends of the band forming the belt are fastened together at an angle which is selected to pass the belt horizontally across the back and to accommodate the shape of the patient's hips. The ends of the band are cut off in a taper if necessary so that no square corners are exposed.

Abstract: An oil-spreading squeegee for roadway maintenance uniformly spreads oil sprayed onto a roadway surface to be maintained or upgraded. The squeegee assures a surprisingly uniform surface, particularly by filling cracks and moderate depressions in the roadway surface not filled by mere levelling of the liquid oil after a spraying operation alone. The squeegee is towed behind the oil spraying truck, extending across the roadway surface and being maintained on rollers a selected height above the existing pavement. The squeegee pools the oil ahead of its blade while forming a uniform coating on the roadway surface over which the blade has passed. The pool of oil fills cracks and moderate depressions in the roadway surface directly, and thus avoids loss of uniformity in the height of the top of the oil coating. Aggregate is then spread over the roadway and tamped or rolled into the oil, which hardens about the aggregate to form a new, smooth roadway surface.

Abstract: A portable electric humidifier uses a flexible, disposable bag as a container for water, to provide a compact, collapsible, and easily portable system. A humidifier head contains a motor and an air humidifying apparatus such as a spinning disk and conical shaft. The head is supported on folding legs. The flexible bag is attached to and hangs beneath the humidifier head. The conical shaft extends downwardly from the spinning disk and draws water from the bag and conveys it to the disk, from which it is dispersed in an air stream into a room. The shaft telescopes, to occupy a minimum vertical distance for storage within the height of the collapsed legs. The flexible bag container is inexpensive and may be discarded after use at one location, prior to packing for further travel. Thus, the humidifier provides overnight humidification for a hotel room or the like, while being conveniently packable for transportation in any small suitcase.

Abstract: A folding caddy comprising a foldable bottom consisting of at least two bottom members with wheels attached thereto, a handle for pushing or pulling the device, and a rear wall which is also foldable and consists of at least two rear-wall members. The rear-wall members are hinged to wheel guards and the bottom is, on opposite sides, also hinged to the wheel guards.