Abstract: An improved sanitary conveyor mechanism wherein the improvement is in the conveyor frame, including an elongated conveyor support and a plurality of frame members, each including an aperture formed therethrough for receiving the elongated conveyor support so that a sanitary conveyor of various configurations may be assembled and, and perhaps most importantly, easily cleaned.

Abstract: A connector used to attach a reinforcing element to a headed stud includes a body uniquely configured to be placed onto the stud's head. The body also includes a pair of opposed apertures such that a reinforcing element such as, for example, a length of rebar, maybe inserted through the apertures such that the connector, already disposed on the stud head, effectively “locks” the reinforcing element to the stud.

Abstract: The aquarium backup system operates upon failure of the pump that provides aeration and/or water circulation to aquariums. The backup system includes a sensor for determining when the flow of water to the aquarium is interrupted due to a power outage or pump failure. The sensor then closes a switch in electrical circuit between a backup battery and a backup pump, which re-establishes the aeration and/or water circulation to the aquarium.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reclaiming contaminated scrap metal, more particularly an improved reverberatory furnace designed for melting scrap. The amount of hydrocarbons volatilized from the melting of contaminated scrap is measured and the fumes are passed into the main hearth for burning. As the amount of fuel value contained within the fumes increases, the amount of fuel provided to the burner is proportionally reduced while the amount of oxygen is kept constant. This will ensure that the amount of fuel and the amount of oxygen present within the furnace is completely burned without excessive free oxygen or unburned fuel building up within the furnace or furnace exhaust. The burner will be operating under lean fuel conditions or under fuel rich conditions such that the flame temperature is lower than at stoichiometric firing, whereby the burners create reduced NOx.

Abstract: A machine for attaching a reclosable fastener to a web of flexible material primarily intended for use with a host packaging machine to form a reclosable container. The fastener attaching machine includes a motor that indexes the flexible material along a path through the fastener attaching machine. A cutting device disposed along the path forms a cut through a predetermined segment of the flexible material. A fastener supply means provides reclosable fasteners having distal ends and a predetermined length to an endless belt that conveys each fastener to a fusing means that respectively melts and cools the distal ends of each fastener. The endless belt then conveys the fused fastener to a sealing means that seals the reclosable fastener in overlying relation to the cut formed in the flexible web of material.

Abstract: A therapy mitt for a hand and finger for use with a hand therapy device comprising a surface disposed along the back of the hand connecting finger pockets to a wrist cuff of the hand therapy device. The finger pockets are capable of being separated from one another, permitting independent motion of fingers relative to one another. This therapy mitt can thus be used either for all four fingers or for independent therapy of individual fingers.

Abstract: A surgical knife blade of the type primarily intended for making incisions in the eye, though suitable for incising virtually any spherical surface, is disclosed. The blade is uniquely characterized by its construction to include cutting edge bevels of different transverse dimension on the anterior surface of the blade with respect to the transverse dimension of corresponding bevels on the posterior surface of the blade, such that the blade of this invention will incise a substantially straight, perpendicular cut into the eye or other spherical surface.

Abstract: A tension screw of the type primarily intended for anchoring one end of a ligament graft to a bone during surgery to repair a damaged or torn ligament. The tension screw includes two principal elements: a cannulated screw and a bone screw which is insertable through the longitudinal bore of the cannulated screw. The bone screw actually anchors the graft to a bone, while the cannulated screw includes a small hook for attaching the ligament graft thereto. The cannulated screw is free to rotate around the bone screw so as to place the ligament graft under tension. Then, the bone screw is tightened into the bone, fixing the graft to the bone.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method are described for attaching a finger to a birdie block without affecting the attachment of other fingers to the birdie block. A finger may be attached to a birdie block that includes a lower portion in which a plurality of radially spaced apart notches are formed, with a ring and a spring being disposed around the notches of the lower portion to engage the finger and thereby resiliently attach the finger to the birdie block.

Abstract: An improved, tamper-evident container having a reclosable zipper-type fastener useful for providing access to the interior of the container is disclosed. The reclosable fastener is characterized by a pair of mating sealing strips wherein each one of the pair is attached to a common surface of the container. The container is further characterized by the provision of a security seal to provide a tamper-evident closure for the container until it is initially opened.

Abstract: A flashlight is disclosed having a tube with an extension, a grip wrapped about its exterior, and a light in one end of the tube including a reflector with a bulb inside, and a switch connected to the bulb and to a battery, the tube also containing an alarm being a buzzer and a switch connecting the buzzer to the battery.

Abstract: A surface effect hull particularly suitable for use with a catamaran vessel. The twin hulls each comprise a V-shaped portion and a recess portion that receives pressurized gas therein. The V-shaped bow portion create dynamic lift and the pressurized air portion creates an air cushion for reduction of drag.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of constructing a building involving the assembly of a rigid skeletal framework of struts defining the contours of the desired building which is for example domed, or part-barrel shaped. A membrane or envelope of plastics material is inflated within the framework to lift the struts from a state of compression under their own weight into a state of tension. The membrane is then coated on at least one side with settable material such as concrete or other glass fibre reinforced material and the membrane deflated when the material has set. In an example of the invention, support zones at the junctions of the struts support the set material.