Abstract: A novelty hat in the form of a ball cap having a visor defining an opening in which a miniature basketball net is mounted. The miniature net is held in position in the opening by a rim of molded plastic including respective flanges circumscribing the opening, on both the top and the bottom of the visor. A miniature basketball fits through the rim, but the opening in the bottom of the net is small enough to keep the ball from passing all the way down through the net. A keeper mounted on the rim is selectively movable to a position extending above a portion of the ball to hold the ball in the net and thus prevent the ball from being lost when the hat is not being worn.

Abstract: An oil absorbing article is made of an outer covering of wool felt that forms an enclosure containing pine bark. The covering may be in the form of a mat, a pillow, or a boom. The outer covering allows the oil to pass through into the bark, which becomes saturated with the oil. This saturation prevents flow of water to the bark, whereby the article remains floating after absorption of oil.

Abstract: A gripping device comprises a thin strip of flexible material which is disposed between a user's index finger and thumb to facilitate gripping, particularly bottle cap removal. The flexible strip includes attachment bands which secure the strip to the thumb and index finger for use.

Abstract: A pacifier thermometer includes a thermometer that is removable from a base portion, which includes a nipple, to allow thorough cleaning of the base portion. The thermometer includes a flexible conductor that has a thermistor at its end, and the thermistor rests on the nipple when assembled. In a second embodiment, the nipple includes a metal sensor that is molded into the silicone nipple and provides a hole for removably receiving the thermistor.

Abstract: A leash is described for attachment between an aquatic sports board and a rider. The leash includes a molded single piece elastic article having an elongated elastic member terminated at its ends with eyelets. A strap connector capable of being attached to the rider is connected through an eyelet on one end of the member. A board coupler is provided at the other end for attaching the leash to the board.

Abstract: A face mask for applying a magnetic flux field to the face of a human being comprises sheets of flexible plastic material joined together to provide a pocket therebetween containing a formable material by which the mask is adapted to conform to the contour of the face of person wearing the mask. The formable material can be a viscous liquid or thermoplastic material, and the mask is provided with permanent magnet sheet elements which overlie forehead, temple, cheek and mouth areas of the face and are urged to lie parallel thereto by the deformable material.

Abstract: A system for treating wastewater wherein the need for the addition of an external carbon source during the denitrification step is reduced or eliminated. In accordance with the system, the centrate is removed from the centrifuge at the end of the treatment process and is fed back into the denitrification zone, where it serves as a carbon source during the denitrification reaction. By eliminating the need for an external carbon source, the operating costs of the system are dramatically reduced. Furthermore, since the centrate is not fed into the wastewater stream entering the plant and is therefore not subjected to unnecessary processing, the process is more efficient than existing methods.

Abstract: A bumper/muffler assembly is provided to simultaneously perform noise attenuation functions and impact protection for an automotive vehicle. The bumper/muffler assembly is formed at least in part from stamped sheets of metal. The sheets include an internal plate formed with inlet and outlet channels therein. Inlet and outlet tube plates are secured to portions of the internal plate adjacent the inlet and outlet channels such that inlet and outlet tubes are defined. A front external shell is disposed in proximity to the rear end of the vehicle and is configured to be spaced from portions of the internal plate to define a front chamber. A rear external shell also is spaced from the internal plate to define a rear chamber. A plastic material may be nested over the rear external shell for aesthetic attractiveness of the assembly.

Abstract: A flexible, integral polymer resistance heated conduit is provided that is particularly suitable for use with physiological fluids. The conduit is highly effective in uniformly heating a fluid and in maintaining the fluid at a uniform, predetermined temperature. The conduit is inexpensive and easy to manufacture, and is at least partially transparent or translucent, thereby allowing easy viewing of its contents.

Abstract: A gas elimination device for cellular fluids has a cylindrical chamber that is divided radially into two parts by a cylindrical filter centrally located in the chamber. The fluid inlet is directed tangentially to the outer part of the chamber to create a vortex flow. The vortex flow is stopped by passage of the fluid through the filter, and gas bubbles that have formed rise to the top of the outer part of the chamber. A hydrophobic membrane covers the top of the chamber and allows the gas to exit the chamber to the atmosphere. A one way valve formed in a two part cap covering the chamber prevents flow of air into the chamber. A float valve stops flow when the chamber fills with air.

Abstract: A machine for producing plastic laminates having a feed roller means consisting of a pair of feed rollers for feeding a material to be laminated, a facing type preheater means which allows the material to be laminated which is being fed, to be preheated, while it slides along the preheater means, and a heating and pressing roller means which has both the heating function and the pressing function in one body, for heating and pressing the material to be laminated which has been preheated, resultantly being simple in the structure, small in the external dimension, less expensive in the production cost and capable of producing plastic laminates without discontinuous adhesion to have a beautiful laminated surface appearance.

Abstract: A centrifuge is capable of holding a sample container in selected orientations, either during or after centrifugation, to drain supernatants between two or more chambers of the container. The draining may be gravity or centrifugal draining. This allows an automated process to subject a sample to a first physical or chemical treatment to produce a first supernatant, the first supernatant to be subjected to a second physical or chemical treatment, and a second supernatant to be separated from a desired component.

Abstract: A multi-position, multi-directional switch mechanism that provides switch actuation in multiple directions using opposing detent mechanisms. The multi-position, multi-directional switch mechanism has a sleeve that pivots within a base and an operator that pivots within the sleeve. Each of the pivoting members has a detent mechanism to maintain the pivotal members in a selected position. The spring loaded detents of the detent mechanisms are linearly opposing. The resulting multi-position, multi-directional switch mechanism achieves better functionality with fewer parts.

Abstract: A roll for the pressure treatment of cloth webs comprising: a stationary beam, a shell mounted for rotation relatively to the beam, support elements for equalizing roll shell deflection, and a biasing system so acting on the support elements that the same apply a radial force to the shell, is characterised in that a clamping formation consisting of a number of adjacent conical rings which extend in the direction of the roll beam and of a number of clamping rings which are disposed between the conical rings and which are adjacent the shell is provided, is mounted axially and can be acted on by an axial force which is so deflected in the clamping formation that the same applies a radial force to the shell.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful apparatus for use in a railway switch heating assembly. The apparatus includes a hollow structural member adapted to replace a conventional railway tie and adapted to be connected to a source of heated air, and a mechanism for discharging the heated air from the hollow member to desired locations along the assembly.

Abstract: A quick-release pedal comprises a pedal body and a pair of retaining units. The pedal body includes a frame portion, a tubular portion and two receiving spaces within the frame portion. A pair of cleat engaging members are respectively provided on upper and lower sides of the tubular member. Each of the cleat engaging members has a claw portion and two fingers of different lengths. Each of the retaining units has first and second hook units, a pair of torsional springs and a pivot pin which is connected to the frame portion through a respective one of the receiving spaces. Each of the first and second hook units has pivot seats connected pivotably to a corresponding one of the pivot pins. Each of the first hook units has a hook section with a tongue which is opposed to the pivot seats. Each of the second hook units has an abutting section which is located behind the tongue. The torsional springs urge the first and second hook units to abut against the fingers of the cleat engaging members.

Abstract: A bicycle pedal device includes a pedal body, and upper and lower cleat retaining units mounted respectively on two opposite side surfaces of the pedal body. The pedal body includes a tubular portion adapted to be mounted rotatably on a bicycle pedal shaft, and a pair of front and rear U-shaped frame sections integrally formed with two sides of said tubular portion. Each of the U-shaped frame sections has two transverse bar sections which extend integrally and transversely from the tubular portion, and an axial bar section which interconnects the outer ends of the transverse bar sections so as to define a pair of front and rear spaces each of which is located between the tubular portion and one of the axial bar sections. The cyclist's shoe can be retained on the pedal body by either of the cleat retaining units.

Abstract: A process for computer-assisted-design of an optical element allows for anticipation of errors that may arise in the actual manufacture of the element. A known optical design program is first operated to determine data representing the physical characteristics of the element that will provide a desired optical output. Then, the data representing the optimum physical characteristics are modified in accordance with a statistical distribution that represents the errors in the physical elements that are expected in the actual manufacture of the physical elements. The optical output is then determined for an optical element having the modified physical characteristics. This modified optical output is compared with the desired optical output to determine whether the designed optical element will produce the desired optical output when manufactured.

Abstract: A teat for a baby's bottle, the teat comprising a body (3) that is generally hemispherical in shape and whose apex is extended axially by a projecting portion in the form of a nipple (5), the teat being characterized in that its nipple (5) is fitted with potentially dynamic means (10) designed to implement a spring effect firstly to enable axial stretching followed by a return to initial length, and secondly to reinforce stiffness so that radial compression is limited, thereby enabling suction to take place by pressure reduction only and not by squeezing.