Abstract: A shape retaining flexible connector apparatus for supporting flashlights, lamps, etc., is provided. The shape retaining flexible connector apparatus includes a formable support member, one or more joint forming members associated with the support member and a cover member.

Abstract: A valve bag is provided having a self-closing feature to preclude sifting losses after filling, but before the bag is fully sealed, while enabling the facilitated final secure closure of the bag.

Abstract: A corner post construction for containers, such as boxes and cartons, which may be fabricated from materials such as corrugated paperboard material. The corner post construction is provided by fabricating a substantially planar sheet of material, having a longitudinal axis, and bending the sheet of material along a fold line which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, so that there are two corner post wings formed, with an included angle formed between them. A corner post reinforcing and retaining material is disposed along the fold line which maintains the corner post wings in substantially fixed angular relation to one another. Corner posts constructed according to the present invention can be affixed to the outside of a unit comprising one or more containers, or merely positioned within an enclosing container, to provide longitudinal support for increased stacking strength, and for enhanced resistance to vertical and lateral crushing at the corners of the container.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant HVAC system capable of continued operation in the event of a thermostat malfunction. An HVAC controller controls the operation of an HVAC unit in accordance with a temperature signal output from the thermostat and indicative of air temperature of a conditioned space proximate the thermostat. The HVAC controller detects a thermostat malfunction and, in response thereto, instead controls the operation of the HVAC unit in accordance with a temperature sensor outputting a signal indicative of return air temperature from the conditioned space.

Abstract: An article-holding device for releasably grasping and retaining a substantially solid and/or irregularly-shaped object comprising at least one handle member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a gripping region, the gripping region further comprising an elastomeric region for grasping and retaining substantially solid and/or irregularly-shaped objects. The elastomeric region of the preferred embodiment includes a frame portion and a substantially open portion, with a substantially taut sheet member extending across at least a portion of the substantially open portion.

Abstract: A golf putter hand grip being so shaped that the golfers two palms remain flat and parallel to each other and the striking face portion of the club head while the fingers and thumb secure the grip in a natural manner.

Abstract: The tool is for carrying and handling construction boards. The tool has an elongated member having a lower end to which a board support element is rotatably attached to rotate about a rotation axis projecting perpendicularly from the front face of the elongated member. The board support element has a flat support surface projecting perpendicularly with respect to the front face of the elongated member, to receive an edge of a construction board. A spring mechanism is provided for rotatably biasing the board support element about the rotation axis towards a central angular position where the support surface is perpendicular to a main axis of the elongated member. A handle is attached to the elongated member at an upper location thereof with respect to the board support element. The handle has a handgrip portion extending offset from the rear face of the elongated member.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the registration of printed matter during the manufacture of bags on fixed-size bag formation equipment, from a continuous web of a substantially non-stretchable material. Printed matter, printed upon the continuous web at regularly-spaced intervals, includes a plurality of periodically spaced reference markers. While a finishing drum propels the continuous web in a direction of flow emanating from a supply of web material, at a substantially constant speed, feed rollers, positioned upstream from the finishing drum, propel the continuous web at a variable speed, relative to the substantially constant speed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the design of a low cost variable speed single phase AC induction motor by eliminating the capacitor, and running the motor as a two phase motor.

Abstract: A forced convection heating apparatus and process for heating glass sheets therewithin. The apparatus includes at least one gas burner for producing hot combustion gases which is to be distributed to the top and/or bottom surfaces of a glass sheet within the apparatus housing. Spent hot working fluid, which has impinged the top and bottom surfaces of the glass sheet, is drawn into a mixing chamber operably positioned about a gas burner. The spent hot working fluid and newly produced hot combustion gases from the gas burner are mixed within the mixing chamber and then distributed toward and into operable contact with at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the glass sheet.

Abstract: Tonneau cover apparatus for rail mounted tonneau cover systems for pick-up truck beds and the like are provided. The invention included a spacer member for a accommodating seasonal dimensional variations in covers; adjustable corner connector apparatus for non-rectangular truck beds; improved adjustable snap-type closure members for covers, and an improved snapless cover fastener.

Abstract: The invention relates to a accusing device (11) for the durable, hard-wearing and reliably scaled arrangement of tooth implants (31). It has an implant body (10) insertable into a prepared drilling in the jawbone and having an axial threaded blind hole (14) for the insertion of a securing screw (16) to accept a crown or bridge body (31). On the annular face (18 or 28) of the screw head (26) and the implant body (10) there is a concentric annular sealing edge (19 or 30) which, when the crown or bridge body (31) is clamped, enters corresponding annular surfaces thereon and thus provides the required seal.

Abstract: An apparatus (120) useful for, among other things, subcutaneous drug delivery includes a housing (124), a fluid reservoir (154) disposed within the housing for storing the fluid, a pump or pressurized chamber for pressurizing a driving gas and exerting a force on the fluid reservoir to expel the fluid reservoir's contents, and a needle (150) or absorbent pad fluidically communicating with the reservoir. The apparatus may further include a pump activation mechanism such as a button and an electrical circuit such that pushing the button activates a circuit and connects a battery (138) to a pump (126), and a pump control mechanism such as electrical circuitry to control the voltage gradient to a pump to control fluid delivery.

Abstract: A portable gumball dispenser has a reservoir mounted atop a pedestal formed of a nested assembly of concentric tubular members and a base. When offset apertures in top walls of the tubular members are in register with each other and with an opening in the bottom of the reservoir to permit a single gumball to drop into a dispensing chamber within the pedestal, apertures in the side walls are out of register to retain the gumball. Rotation of the tubular members to register the side wall apertures rotates the top wall apertures out of register to block any further gumballs dropping from the reservoir. A directional channel in the base facilitates a gumball rolling out when the side wall apertures in register. A cooperating annular ridge on the outside of the inner tubular member and an annular groove on the outer tubular member retain the tubular members in nested assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for removing and incinerating sulfur from tail gas being emitted from a Claus Recovery Sulfur Unit (SRU) or a Tail Gas Clean-up Unit (TGCU) is provided. The gas is processed in a Z-Sorb.TM. type sulfur absorber wherein the off-gas, after the hydrogen sulfide is removed, is combusted and used as a regenerative gas for a second absorber, that has been used to sorb hydrogen sulfide out of a gas, so as to release sulfur dioxide from the second absorber--in lieu of "process to substantially convert the hydrogen sulfide to sulfur dioxide, toward precluding the need for combustion of the hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: A toy leash with an adjustable harness, electronic sound and a light is attachable to one of a number of toy animals. Sound emanating from the toy leash and adjustable harness combination appears to be coming from the attached animal. Buckles and/or hook and loop fasteners are provided for adjustment of the harness. A flashlight is removably carried by the forward end of the leash. In an alternative embodiment, a section of the leash between the harness and the handle is telescopically adjustable.