Abstract: A microporous insulation material contains an ingredient which exhibits a phase transition and functions to maintain temperatures attained by an object shielded by the microporous insulation material, during exposure of the microporous insulation material to a high temperature environment, at an acceptable level over a given period of time. The insulation material is especially suitable for insulating flight data and voice recorder systems. The microporous insulation material contains inorganic particulate material; endothermic compounds, (optionally) an opacifier, inorganic fiber and preferably, a dry resin or other binder. The inorganic particulate material can comprise only hydrophilic material or both hydrophilic and hydrophobic material.

Abstract: A water purifier includes a housing that contains a purification material for purifying the water. The water purifier is placed a flow of circulating water in the spa. The purification material preferably can be a silver-containing material.

Abstract: A circuit tester which allows the testing of electrical outlets, telephone circuits and light bulb sockets. The circuit tester is cylindrical with two circuit probes. The first probe is a conventional two-prong electrical plug and the second is a conventional male light bulb connector. A standard telephone jack socket is provided on the side of the cylinder.

Abstract: Inflatable boat (1) with two inflatable tubular chambers (2) secured along the two sides of a hull, a rear board (4) being secured in watertight fashion, laterally, to the two tubular chambers (2) and, at the bottom, to the rear edge of the hull, the means of securing the rear board (4) to each tubular chamber (2) comprising a sole (5) with U-shaped section made of a semi-rigid synthetic material secured by its bottom (6) to the tubular chamber (2) in such a way that the arms (7) of the U project radially from the tubular chamber and are secured to the lateral edge of the board (4) fitted between them, each lateral edge of the board (4) has two grooves (8) cut in it, one on each of its two faces, these grooves running parallel to this lateral edge and being filled with a synthetic material (9) secured to the walls at the groove. The two arms (7) of the sole (5) are secured respectively to the material (9) with which the grooves (8) are filled.

Abstract: Mixed-hull inflatable boat, comprising a rigid submerged hull (2) surrounded at least bilaterally by inflatable buoyancy tubes (3), a transom (4) extending between the rear extremities of the two tubes (3) and the rigid submerged hull (2), characterised in that the rigid submerged hull (2) is extended to the rear, beyond the transom (4), by a flap (6) forming an integral part of said submerged hull (2).

Abstract: High-capacity life raft (1, 10) comprising an inflatable peripheral edge (2) forming a tubular buoyancy chamber and a central bottom (3) secured thereto, characterized in that the said central bottom (3) comprises at least one region (4) forming a platform for receiving those embarking and at least one region (5) for mustering those who have embarked, the said muster region (5) occupying an area of the said bottom that is quite distinctly larger than the area occupied by the said reception platform region (4).

Abstract: An improved electrically conductive light bulb base for use with common threaded light bulb sockets currently widely used. The improvement combines a substantial reduction in the amount of thread required, by employing a shorter thread that enlarges or increases in size, in radius, or both. This type of thread is in place of the standard thread in securing the bulb in the socket. Optionally, short portions of thread may be provided on one side of a generally cylindrical, smooth base. The particular advantage is that the bulb inserted by hand can be inserted and secured or released and removed with a minimum number of turns of the wrist.

Abstract: Indicators and methods of indicating are disclosed. Intended primarily for use with medicine containers, the devices typically indicate the number of doses of medication ingested or remaining to be taken by a patient during a particular period. These devices additionally provide tactile assistance to patients in appropriately repositioning the indicator arms and, when used correctly, may reduce the possibility of patient overdose by restricting improper attempts to advance the indicator arm.

Abstract: Inflatable boat (1) with two inflatable tubular chambers (2) secured along the two sides of a hull, a rear board (4) being secured in watertight fashion, laterally, to the two tubular chambers (2) and, at the bottom, to the rear edge of the hull, the means of securing the rear board (4) to each tubular chamber (2) comprising a sole (5) with U-shaped section made of a semi-rigid synthetic material secured by its bottom (6) to the tubular chamber (2) in such a way that the arms (7) of the U project radially from the tubular chamber and are secured to the lateral edge of the board (4) fitted between them, each lateral edge of the board (4) has two grooves (8) cut in it, one on each of its two faces, these grooves running parallel to this lateral edge and being filled with a synthetic material (9) secured to the walls at the groove. The two arms (7) of the sole (5) are secured respectively to the material (9) with which the grooves (8) are filled.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for reducing the volume of low level radioactive and mixed waste to enable the waste to be more economically stored in a suitable repository, and for placing the waste into a form suitable for permanent disposal. The invention involves a process for preparing radioactive, hazardous, or mixed waste for storage by contacting the waste starting material containing at least one organic carbon-containing compound and at least one radioactive or hazardous waste component with nitric acid and phosphoric acid simultaneously at a contacting temperature in the range of about 140.degree. C. to about 210 .degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inflatable sofa which can be quickly inflated for use or deflated for convenient storage and transporting. At least one recess is formed in a seat portion of the inflatable sofa for accommodating heat-absorbing material to make the sofa more comfortable for sitting. Containers with accordion bodies for holding cups or cans are connected to armrest portions of the inflatable sofa by radio heating and form an integral part of the inflatable sofa.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inflatable leisure chair which can be quickly inflated to serve as a comfortable sofa for use indoors and/or outdoors. A plurality of I-shaped supporting beams made of plastic material of high tensile strength are radio heated to and between inner surfaces of a seat and a bottom of the inflatable chair to reinforce the space in the inflatable chair below the seat. The inflatable leisure chair can be quickly inflated for use and deflated for convenient storage and carrying.

Abstract: Automatic swimming pool cleaning systems are disclosed. The systems include an automatic swimming pool cleaner incorporating one or more curved wipers protruding from its lower surface. The wipers and flat bottom of the cleaner induce a vortex as fluid flows to its central inlet, entraining debris in the flow. A fluted throat surrounding the inlet additionally assists the interior of the base of the cleaner in retaining debris when opened for cleaning, additionally providing an improved flow path for enhanced debris pick-up. Alternate embodiments incorporate a rudder and resistance plate for enhancing movement of the cleaners in the presence of obstacles. Also disclosed is a valve useful for controlling and indicating the rate of fluid flow to a cleaner. Included within the valve is a plunger attached to a spring, with the spring force opposing fluid flow through the valve.

Abstract: Open pool forming a reservoir for liquid, especially swimming pool, of the out-of-ground type with a flexible wall (2) and an inflatable tubular chamber (3) constituting a floating ring which defines the opening of the pool, characterized in that, in the service position of the pool (1), the upper peripheral region (5) of the flexible wall (2) adjoining the tubular chamber (3) is inclined, relative to the remaining underlying part of the wall, towards the inside of the pool, by virtue of which the upper peripheral region (5) forms a frustoconical reentrant rim underlying the tubular chamber (3) and capable of holding the tubular chamber (3) up when the latter is subjected to a downwards force.

Abstract: Self-righting inflatable life-raft (1) comprising a peripheral edge (2) consisting of at least one inflatable tubular chamber surrounding a bottom (3) secured in leaktight fashion to the said tubular chamber, at least one inflatable tubular hoop (4) extending above the raft between two opposite sides of the inflatable tubular chamber (2); at least two more or less parallel hoops (4) are provided; each hoop (4) is equipped with a reserve of gas (8) projecting from the outside of the hoop (4) and in a region thereof which is at an angle (.alpha.) of approximately 30 to 60.degree. above the horizontal, the assembly formed by the hoop (4) and the reserve (8) being asymmetric with respect to the vertical mid-plane (5) of the raft; and a heavy weight (6, 7) is secured to the raft along that one of its edges that is on the same side as the abovementioned reserves (8).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming devices including dead-ends and insulator ties from flat and other strips of material, as well as the devices themselves, are disclosed. Components of these devices may be formed continuously from a single strip, avoiding the need to weld or clamp the components together. Forming the devices in this manner reduces the possibility of stresses or non-uniformities forming when the components are joined and permits continuous automatic or semi-automatic manufacture to occur.

Abstract: A card is disclosed that incorporates a removable scratch-off coating to hide printed symbols. The card is constructed so that the scratch-off coating is selectively retained by the card, in the form of symbols, or as a background for symbols, when the scratch-off coating is removed. The selective retention of scratch-off coating material to the card is accomplished by incorporating into the card, between the substrate and the scratch-off coating, a clear release coat patterned to form symbols. When the scratch-off coating material is applied to the card during construction, it either adheres directly to the substrate in the form of symbols, or it adheres to the substrate in the background for the symbols, depending on how the release coat is applied. When a player rubs the scratch-off coating material, it releases from the release coat and remains adhered to the substrate to create either symbols or the background for symbols.

Abstract: An enclosure provided with an air supply system, an exhaust system, and controls for manipulating the flow, temperature, dewpoint and relative humidity of the air within the enclosure are disclosed. The present invention aims to achieve with these components a system for containing chemical contaminants created during processing of silicon wafers during the chemical/mechanical, polishing/planarization processes involved in creating those wafers. The system prevents drying of the slurry used to process wafers by controlling the relative humidity within the enclosure via a humidifier, sensors and a controller that dynamically reacts to changes within the enclosure atmosphere. Preventing slurry drying is critical to maintaining high wafer throughput by reducing gouging and scraping of wafers and also by reducing equipment down time needed to clean dried slurry.

Abstract: Components of swimming pools, such as rims and base plates, are addressed herein. The rims and plates are adapted for positive interlock to prevent movement of one relative to the other, and the rims typically include dual flanges of differing heights. Among base plates contemplated hereby are ones containing a slot formed by their two vertical walls and which provide guidance at their edges for positioning their associated rims.