Abstract: A "blackout" or "coverall" bingo game is played over a long duration, e.g., 24 hours. A fixed number (48-58) of bingo numbers are drawn from the pool of numbers at the beginning of the game and are posted or displayed for players to see. Players may acquire cards at any time during the play of the game and compare the cards with the winning numbers to see if the card is a winning card. Winning cards are paid off at a minimum of 1,000 times the purchase price. The card faces are invisible to the player upon purchase, and can be preprinted, printed by a random generator on demand, or be displayed on video screens.

Abstract: A sealing method is provided for preventing leakage of toner from the initial fill or refill of a toner cartridge, in particular an IBM 4019/4029 cartridge used for a laser printer. The sealing method includes a tape, partially coated with adhesive, which extends substantially along the entire length of a slot formed by a pair of flexible guide members at the bottom of the toner hopper. Preferably, the tape has adhesive edge portions which attach to the guide members and a non-adhesive central portion which extends over the length of the slot. At least one end, and preferably both ends, of the tape extend from the ends of the slot and attach adhesively to one or more arms of a stirring member which is rotatably mounted in the hopper. Pairs of transverse slits which extend through the adhesive portion of the tape at a location between the ends of the slot and the ends of the tape enable the non-adhesive central portion of the tape to peel away from the adhesive portions upon rotation of the stirrer.

Abstract: An entertainment system for slot players in a gaming establishment includes video monitors and speaker/microphones located adjacent each slot machine in a defined area of a gaming establishment. An operator at a centrally located control station can selectively provide video programming from a menu of live and recorded sources to any monitor or group of monitors. Similarly, live or recorded audio can be provided to any of the speakers, or the operator can converse from the control station with any of the players via the speaker/microphones located at each machine. The control station has a variety of audio and video sources, including at least one VCR, an audio tape deck, at least one live camera operable remotely from the control station by the operator, and commercial television broadcasting (e.g.

Abstract: A simulated firearm useful in the entertainment industry, and particularly moviemaking, includes electronically ignitable loads which fire sequentially producing a flash and smoke from the barrel. The loads are mounted in a socket in a forward part of the gun, and consist of a small amount of gunpowder and flash-producing material retained in a tubular sleeve along with a resistance-wire igniter. The electronic firing mechanism is actuated by a trigger microswitch which sends amplified pulses in sequence to the loads. Simulated bullet impacts can be actuated simultaneously by pulses generated by the firearm circuitry or from a remote source which actuates both the firearm and the bullet impacts.

Abstract: An element for a reverse osmosis water purification cartridge consists of a long rigid plastic tube having peripheral V-shaped grooves along its length. A nylon monofilament is helically wrapped along the length of the element with wrap spacings of about 1/3-2/3 of the fiber diameter. The element is formed by placing liquid membrane-forming material on the wrapped tube; the membrane intrudes 1-2 mils between the adjacent wraps of monofilament.

Abstract: A portable smoke-generating apparatus particularly useful for creating special effects in the film-making and entertainment industry has a vaporizing unit consisting of a solid metallic block having an elongate interior vaporizing chamber. A solid metallic vaporizing member having a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to the cross-sectional configuration of the vaporizing chamber is loosely mounted in the chamber. The passageway between the interior walls of the vaporizing chamber and the exterior walls of the vaporizing element provides a very narrow conduit having a very very high surface area/volume ratio of at least 500, and preferably at least 1,000, to ensure rapid complete vaporization of the liquid and production of a white, dry smoke having a very small particle size. Heat is supplied to the vaporizing chamber by either electrical resistance heaters or a combustions torch mounted in one or more designated chambers in the block. Use of a nozzle having an orifice with a diameter of 0.35-0.

Abstract: Apparatus for picking up animal waste includes a wheeled cart having a handle and a removable container mounted behind a ramp. A rotatable lever arm lifts articles positioned in front of the cart up the ramp and into the container. The lever arm rotates at a very slow speed (e.g., 10-15 rpm). and is reversible by means of a switch mounted on the handle.

Abstract: A tool for use with building block or brick walls consisting of a flexible rubber cavity worn over the index finger of one hand and containing an integral rectangular end with front and rear flat parallel sides. The rectangular end extends downwardly at 90.degree. from the axis of the finger and is placed over the side of a brick when grasped by the hand. The shape of the finger cavity approximates the shape of the finger and contains an irregular lip and depression to maintain a secure fit even when the finger is bent and moved. A method of using the tool involves laying building blocks with adhesive between the blocks.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis element consists of a long tubular plastic base having a plurality of elongate parallel channels in its exterior surface. A monofilament strand is wrapped or extruded helically around the surface of the base, and a semipermeable membrane is formed, e.g. by casting or extrusion, around the wrapped tube. The tubes are mounted in a hollow cylindrical housing on a manifold; a passageway for purified water extends through the membrane, along the channels to the interior of each element, from the interior of each element through the manifold to a collection chamber, and to a purified water outlet.

Abstract: An electrical junction box has an interior electrical component container having a forward opening, and a second rearwardly opening container portion which opens rearwardly and is filled with insulating material. The housing is a one-piece unit preferably molded from fire-resistant fiberglass. The junction box is manufactured by molding a one-piece fiberglass housing, filling the rearwardly opening chamber with a fluid insulating material such as calcinated gypsum, allowing the insulating material to harden, and drilling a hole from the exterior of the unit into the interior chamber to permit wiring or conduits to extend to the box.

Abstract: A carpenter's template useful particularly for residential framing construction has an L-shaped crosssection formed by a faceplate having a width of about 4" and a flange having a width of about 15/8". The faceplate has three series of slots for marking rafter cuts for common rafters, hip and valley rafters, and jack rafters, respectively. The flange is configured at its ends into angled edges useful for cheek cuts and dub cuts. The faceplate is marked with indicia related to roof pitch to permit the carpenter to select the appropriate slots.

Abstract: A combination fishing net and snagged-hook retriever has a tubular handle with a telescopically extendable member carried within. The extension member is axially removable from the net handle when retrieval of a snagged hook is necessary. A preferred hook retriever is a split-ring device having a pair of bent arms which substantially encircle the line proximate to the hook, enabling multi-directional forces to be applied to the hook resulting in its disengagement.

Abstract: A microwave attenuator forming two series connected L-pads is comprised of a plurality of electrically conductive, resistive, and non-conductive sections disposed on the surface of an elongate dielectric cylindrical base. The series resistances are connected through a conducting strip having an impedance that matches the impedance of the L-pads.

Abstract: A postage scale, which may also serve as a letter opener, has a substantially flat elongate body with grip means at one end thereof for holding a letter or similar article in perpendicularly depending position. The grip means preferably consists of a wide-mouthed slot termination in a bore through a central portion of the body. A plurality of ribs or equivalent balancing means is used to determine the weight of the article.

Abstract: An erasable ink for use in a ball point pen, particularly in a pressurized cartridge, is a fluid comprising at least 10% w of polyvinyl acetate or a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate, and at least 10% w trichloroethylene. The ink preferably also contains at least 5% w of a solvent boiling in the range of 180.degree.-250.degree. C., a plasticizer boiling above 270.degree. C., a colorant, and a tackifier.

Abstract: Warts are resolved by peripheral injection of an aqueous procaine solution into and around one of the warts. A few weeks after injection, a reaction occurs around the base of the wart, and after a few months, the treated wart and other warts on the body diminish and slough off. The procaine solution is acidic and preferably contains a vasoconstrictor.

Abstract: An article fabricated from a flexible foam material, such as foam rubber, is compressed by encasing the article in a substantially air-tight sack, and withdrawing air from the sack, thereby reducing the size of the foam article for packaging. The article may be a fabric or plastic covered object, such as a pillow or toy animal; after compression, the object is packaged in a box. The packaged article provides an unusual gift item.