Abstract: A hermetically sealed, nonrotatable closure for a bottle having a cylindrical body containing liquid and having an integral tubular neck formed with a free open end, comprises an annular flange on the tubular neck. A flexible stopper mounts on the flange. A cup shaped cap has a flat top wall with peripherally integral pliable skirt in which is an internal beveled ridge. The ridge engages the flange to lock the cap on the neck of the bottle. The top wall of the cap has a central hole to expose the stopper which can be pierced by a hypodermic needle to extract the liquid from the bottle while the cap remains unbroken on the neck of the bottle. Inside the skirt of the cap are circumferentially spaced teeth which engage in circumferential slots in the annular flange to cooperate with the ridge in preventing axial movement on the cap and stopper on the bottle.

Abstract: An inductive coupling device for external circuitry to pass electric currents therethrough via inductively coupled electrodes, comprises a monolithic, dielectric, ceramic block made from a multiplicity of stacked dielectric ceramic plates or layers all bonded together. First and second flat rectangular Z-shaped electrodes are embedded in the block between the ceramic layers and bonded thereto. The electrodes are spaced apart by one dielectric layer and generally overlap at least in part for effectively coupling to each other. The block also carries electrically conductive grounding films or layers bonded to the underside of the top and bottom dielectric layers of the block. These films are coupled to adjacent ones of the Z-shaped electrodes. The block may be rectangular in configuration. Conductive stripes on lateral and end faces of the block contact ends of the Z-shaped electrodes and ends of the grounding films and serve as terminals for connecting external circuitry thereto.

Abstract: This power supply system for a D.C. electrical load, such as an illuminated sign, is normally energized by batteries. A central processing unit monitors the battery voltage and when it falls below a predetermined magnitude, the central processing unit then activates a starter motor which cranks an engine coupled to it. The central processing unit also actuates a valve and fuel pump to pass fuel to the engine. The engine drives an alternator which produces A.C. voltage which is then rectified by aa rectifier to recharge the batteries. When the batteries are fully charged the central processing unit stops the engine. The central processing unit employs a microprocessor chip to control operations of the system.

Abstract: A garment assembly which includes a garment such as a diaper or underpants subject to be soiled by the user. Attached to the back of the garment is the closed end of a nonporous bag. The remainder of the bag in flat, rolled or unrolled position is temporarily attached to the garment. After the garment becomes soiled and is removed from the wearer, it can be folded into a generally rectangular form. The bag can be extended and turned inside out to enclose the soiled garment. The free end of the bag can be sealed closed to form a compact, flat, leakproof, odor-free, safe, sanitary, package. This package can be safely transported and can be disposed at a later time in an ecologically approved manner.

Abstract: This miniature normally open circuited acceleration switch has a hollow cylindrical casing closed at one end. Its other end is closed by a header having an insulated axial lead wire extending inwardly of the casing, and an electrically conductive ring secured peripherally to the casing. Inside the casing is an internally conical guide sleeve in which is a freely rollable massive ball. A lightweight cup-shaped piston in the guide sleeve carries a contact member spaced by an expanded coil spring from the lead wire. The ball impinges on the piston when a sufficient axially directed force of acceleration is applied to the casing, even if a simultaneous laterally directed force of acceleration is applied thereto. The piston moves axially against the spring bias such that the contact member contacts the lead wire to close the normally open circuited switch.

Abstract: A mechanism for instantly and accurately adjusting pressure of air passed by a pressure regulator with a valve assembly controlled by a flexible diaphragm. A compressed coil spring bears on the diaphragm. A non-rotating spring guide plate bears on the coil spring. A pinion shaft has a threaded end engaged with a threaded portion of the spring guide plate to move it axially of the coil spring. A pinion gear on the shaft is engaged by spur gears which are in turn engaged by a ring gear. Rotation of the ring gear advances and retracts the spring guide plate axially of the coil spring. A knob ring disposed adjacent a stationary calibrated pressure scale and secured to the ring gear, indicates the pressure of air passed by the regulator for each position of the knob ring around the scale.

Abstract: This pipe joint retaining device has a cylindrical ring concentrically and coaxially engaging a first pipe inserted into an open bell at the end of a second pipe axially aligned with the first pipe. The ring has spaced pairs of flanges extending outwardly and each carrying a pivotable locking lever turnable between open and closed positions. At one end of each lever is a locking screw terminating in a sharp edge to dig into the first pipe when the 10 screw is tightened to turn the lever to closed position. Tapered domed plugs are carried by the ring with one plug disposed between the flanges of each pair thereof in a tapered bore thereat. The plug has a sharp edge which pierces the first pipe when the locking screw is tightened to force the lever into closed position. Each lever has an undercut forward section which cantilevers over the open bell; and a holding screw carried by the forward section of the lever contacts the bell to hold it in place on the first pipe.

Abstract: A system for embryo retrieval from a uterine cavity may employ apparatus comprising a container of liquid medium, a syringe and a filter interconnected by a plurality of valved conduits connected in a closed loop to circulate the liquid medium into and out of the container, syringe, filter and cavity cyclically. The circulation cycle can be repeated many times with a minimum amount of liquid medium to collect a maximum number of embryos in the filter.

Abstract: A root separator structure adapted for disposition in a container having peripheral walls to facilitate insertion of the root system of a plant into and removal from the container, to hold the plant stably in the container, and to enhance root growth in the container. The structure has a shell-like body with coplanar radial arms defining compartments in the container. The radial arms terminate in steps elevated above the plane of the arms, to contact and hold the root system of the plant in upright position. The steps have inclined faces which help guide the root system into and out of the container. The steps can be integrally joined to the peripheral walls, or the body can be separate to the removed from the container with the plant to facilitate spreading the divided root clumps.

Abstract: This electrical resolver has an arcuate stator with a concave inner side concentric to a convex side of an angularly rotatable arcuate rotor limited to rotation within outer ends of the stator. The stator and rotor have arcuate magnetic cores with transverse slots in which are embedded windings made of insulated wire. Rotation of the rotor causes changes in voltages induced in the stator windings corresponding to the extent of angular position of the rotor. The stator windings include trimming coils which generate bucking voltages to reduce errors in determining angular position of the rotor. In an operating range of .+-.10.degree. from a centered position, magnitudes of rotor position can be determined with an accuracy of 5-10 arc seconds maximum, with a considerable savings in space, weight, cost, simplified installation, and increased stability over the operating temperature range.

Abstract: This graphic character matrix display assembly has a support providing a nonreflecting background for a multiplicity of display units arranged for cooperatively displaying the character. Each of the display units comprises a flat display disk having opposite sides. An electromagnet rotates the disk between display position and reversed position. A light source at each disk projects a light beam through a peripheral cutout in the disk when the disk is in display position. The light beam also projects an outline of the disk by backlighting. The periphery of the disk blocks the light beam when the disk is in reversed position. The light source for each disk may be an incandescent lamp, emitting diodes or the end of a light pipe.

Abstract: This voltage control apparatus produces distortionless, stabilized alternating output voltage subject to distortion. The apparatus comprises a wave form reshaping circuit connected to the voltage output for energizing a load, and an internal reference voltage generator amplitude stabilized and synchronized with the input voltage. An error detector generates error pulses which are applied to a controller to generate control pulses. The control pulses are combined with the amplified reshaped input voltage to produce the stabilized, distortionless voltage output. An overcurrent sensor applies signals to the controller to cut off the voltage output when the load draws excessive current. The reference voltage generator can be adjustable to vary the amplitude of the alternating voltage output.

Abstract: A melodic candle assembly having a generally cylindrical wax body seated in the top of a tubular base. The wax body has an axial wick. Adjacent the wick is a thermoresponsive member comprising a thin piezoelectric strip with metal films on opposite sides thereof which serve as electrodes. An electronic circuit in the base has an integrated circuit comprising a memory stage containing prerecorded signals representing audible sounds. A loudspeaker in circuit with the memory stage reproduces the audible sounds when activated. The thermoresponsive member is connected to the electronic circuit and applies thereto a piezoelectrically generated voltage when the candle is ignited to thereby trigger the memory stage and activate the loudspeaker. When the candle flame is extinguished, the audible sounds are stopped.

Abstract: The tube is at least two inches long and has successive sections of progressively smaller diameters to produce a correspondingly shaped sprue passage communicating with a pattern cavity in a casting investment, so that fluid casting material passes with increasingly fluid velocity between an inlet and outlet of the sprue passage during the casting process. A bulbous portion of the tube is spaced from its free end, to form a reservoir chamber in the sprue passage, spaced sufficiently from the pattern cavity, so that casting material flowing through the sprue passage attains maximum velocity at the outlet of the passage entering the pattern cavity.

Abstract: A new and distinct Pieris japonica was discovered which has sterile blooms and a sweet fragrance and has longer than average blooming time and has been asexually reproduced.