Abstract: A process for converting tropical materials into fibers useful in paper-making, textiles, insulation, general fiber filler and the absorption of liquids. The tropical materials utilized in the process include, banana, plantain or cavendish plant stalks, pineapple crowns, coconut, palm or palmetto fronds, or the pinzote of palm. The process includes the steps of: reducing the raw fibrous plant materials to separated fibers by cutting, shredding or grinding; washing the separated fibers in a mild alum solution to extract latex and natural resinous substances; pressing the fibers to remove a high percentage of excess water and residual latex and natural resinous substances with the consumption of a minimum amount of energy; and drying the fibers to less than 10% by weight water content.

Abstract: A three dimensional strategy game and method for its play are provided, wherein multiple game pieces are assembled into geometrical configurations without the limitations imposed by a pre-existing support structure and wherein the interior of the three dimensional geometrical configuration is easily viewable. The three dimensional strategy game includes an orientation game piece and two or more sets of game pieces which may be matingly interconnected to construct geometric configurations. In addition to the game pieces, a directional indicator may also provided for indicating the direction from which each game piece must also be added to the growing geometric configuration. Each game piece has a plurality of sides extending outward from a central area with each side carrying an interconnecting member for matingly receiving a portion of an interconnecting member for connection to other game pieces.

Abstract: A post-surgical drainage carrier for carrying a post-surgical drainage container used for draining fluids from patients after surgery. The post-surgical drainage carrier includes a pouch and a belt. The pouch includes a front pouch sidewall and a back pouch sidewall. The front pouch sidewall terminates at a pouch lip which is interconnected with a pouch extension at first and second lip attachment points which may extend downwardly and inwardly to open a pouch mouth for easily placing the drainage container within the pouch interior.

Abstract: In this pulse driven motor, electromagnetic stators are mounted on the outside of an annular hollow nonferrous cage. The stators are "U" shaped and mounted with the open end of the "U" facing toward the motor shaft. The rotor is a dual disk assembly. Each disk has a plurarity of permanent magnets mounted along its outer edge. The stator yokes on the cage cross-bars and the rotor disks on the shaft are positioned so that the rotor magnets can pass through the yoke gaps. The angular displacement of the rotor disks and the respective placement of the pick-up probes generates a sequential stream of pulses which upon amplification drives the motor stators.

Abstract: A contamination gauge for paper manufacturing for detecting the debris on paper includes a hand-held housing having a gripping surface and a plunger carried axially by the housing having a pressure application surface disposed on one end of the plunger for applying a predetermined force. A force exerting element is carried within the interior of the housing for exerting the predetermined pressure when the housing is moved relative to the plunger. An indicator indicates when the housing has moved sufficiently for generating the predetermined amount of pressure. Also a method for testing the propensity of paper rolls to lint debris on printing machines is disclosed.

Abstract: An asymmetrical portable dispenser having a dispenser opening for dispensing small articles. Asymmetrical dispenser including an asymmetrical tray slidably mounted within a similarly configured asymmetrical sleeve for orientating the dispenser opening in an upward position by placing the opposite dissimilar side in an downward position.

Abstract: A detachable cup indicator is provided for connection to a golf flag stick for indicating the cup position on a putting green. A flag holder having a flag stick attachment for releasably attaching a series of detachable coded flags is adapted for being received by a flag stick. A series of coded flags including a first golf flag having a first design for indicating a first placement of the golf hole on the green and a second golf flag having a second design for indicating a second placement of the golf hole on the green are interchangeably attached to the flag holder for indicating the position of the golf cup on the green.

Abstract: A golf swing training aid for a golfer having an elongated stance positioning member and a plurality of discrete placement indicators having a size generally equal to the size of a standard golf ball extending along the general length of the stance positioning member. A golf ball positioner carried by the stance positioner member extends generally perpendicularly away from the stance positioning member when positioned at a respective placement indicator for positioning a golf ball at a prescribed location within the golf stance of the golfer. The discrete placement indicators assist the golfer in ascertaining the correct heel placement for properly positioning the golf ball within his or her stance relative to the positioning of the golf ball positioner.

Abstract: An adjustable shipping and storage container for handling a roll of material on an elongated core which can be manipulated by a fork lift. The container includes a base unit having a first and second base assembly each having a base member and at least one base floor support element member supporting a respectively base member on a floor. Each base floor support element defines a fork channel underneath the respective base member for receiving a fork of a fork lift enabling the shipping container to be manipulated by a fork lift. The second base assembly is independent from and generally parallel to the first base assembly providing the base unit with variable width capability. Also, the shipping container includes a first and second mounting mechanism carried by the base unit for slidably mounting an end plate to the base unit so that the space between the two end plates may be varied for handling cores of various sizes.

Abstract: A vehicular mobile occupant carrier system A which includes mobile occupant carrier B and upstanding securement stanchion C. Mobile occupant carrier B includes a frame 12 which includes an occupant support frame 18 and a bottom frame 20 made unitary by a first junction frame 36 and a second junction frame 38. Upstanding securement stanchion C includes a base member 60, a carrier securing section 14 and a headrest 64. A four-point restraint system D includes latch bars 41a, 41b, 42a and 42b integral with mobile occupant carrier B interlocked with rotary locks 72 integral with carrier securing section 14 of upstanding securement stanchion C, restraining mobile occupant carrier B in three-degrees of freedom. Strap restraining system 44 includes a lap belt 46 and upper torso straps 48 which may alternately be connected to upstanding securement stanchion C or to frame 16 of mobile occupant carrier B for restraining occupant of mobile occupant carrier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a shallow ditch in wood shavings on the floor of a chicken house and laying a web of paper over the ditch while forcibly pushing the central portion of the web into the ditch with the remainder of the paper disposed at the shoulders of the ditch. The apparatus includes a plow depending downwardly from a frame and a beam pivoted to the frame which supports a wheel behind the plow. A roll of paper may be carried by spindles on the frame between the plow and the wheel. The wheel, in operation, is positioned on the upper surface of a web of paper unwound from the roll to permit the roll to unwind while simultaneously pushing the paper into the ditch.

Abstract: A diver awareness buoy for signaling the presence of scuba divers diving underwater within a general diving area including a base and an inflatable bladder having a main body. The main body has a humanoid configuration including a torso section and a head section simulating the upper body of a scuba diver present in water. The torso section includes torso indicia corresponding to the signal for signaling that a scuba diver is beneath the water surface. A ballast is carried by the inflatable bladder for maintaining the buoy in an upright floating position in water.

Abstract: A pet litter separator including a container and a sifter for separating the unsoiled litter from the animal excrement and soiled litter. The sifter includes a stationery first sifter element for retaining the animal excrement and soiled litter within the container and a vertically movable second sifter element for separating the unsoiled litter from the animal excrement and soiled litter. A sifter mounts the second sifter element for relative vertical movement with respect to the first sifter element. A plurality of first sifter openings are defined within the first sifter element. The second sifter element has a first vertical position closing the first sifter openings thereby retaining litter within the container and a second vertical position unobstructing the first sifter openings enabling the unsoiled litter to pass through the first sifter openings. An actuator is interconnected with the sifter for moving the second sifter element from the first vertical position to the second vertical position.

Abstract: The present invention provides an archery bow support for supporting an archery bow in an upright position when attached to an upstanding support. The archery bow support includes a bow holder which defines a bow receptacle and a bow passage leading into the bow receptacle for retaining the bow in an upright position. The bow receptacle is larger than the depth of the bow's hand grip for retaining the bow within the bow holder. The bow holder passage is smaller than the depth of the hand grip while being larger than the width of the hand grip. A mount brace mounts the bow support to an associated structure.

Abstract: New sizing compositions containing: (a) a compound selected from the group consisting of alkenyl succinic anhydrides, alkyl ketene dimers and mixtures thereof and (b) a metal salt selected from the group of metals consisting of zirconium, hafnium, titanium and mixtures thereof are described. The use of the above sizing compositions during paper making provides paper products having superior liquid storage properties, especially liquid foods such as milk, juices, etc.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser and drip collection device is disclosed wherein the collection device may be attached to a spigot of a beverage dispenser. In the illustrated embodiment, the collection device comprises a rear retaining member having a spigot slot which attaches to the spigot and a collection reservoir disposed below the spigot slot for collecting drips and overflows. The dimension of the spigot slot, height of the retaining member, and top of the collection reservoir are such that a beverage dispensing position is defined between the spigot outlet and the top of the collection reservoir which receives a beverage cup during dispensing in a manner that drips are caught after the cup is removed as well as overflows caught when the cup is in place. Spaced, contoured side walls are carried by the retaining member and form part of the collection reservoir. The contoured side walls have cut-away edges to facilitate placement of the beverage cup in the beverage dispensing position.

Abstract: A transformable mechanic's creeper is disclosed having an elongated creeper frame which includes a base and a seat assembly interconnected by at least one interlinking connector pivotally connected to the base and the seat assembly. The interlinking connector has a first pivot position in which the seat assembly is positioned generally in horizontal alignment with the base for defining a creeper position, and a second pivot position in which the seat assembly is positioned generally in vertical alignment with the base to define a seating position wherein the seat assembly and the base support a worker in an upright seating position. A removable insert pad carried within the elongated creeper frame supports a worker in a supine position support.

Abstract: A detachable wheel mask for temporarily covering an entire wheel of an automobile during washing for the purpose of protecting the wheel from dirt while cleaning an associated tire is disclosed. The wheel mask includes a circular protective cover of a size corresponding with the wheel, a retaining element for fitting within a nip formed between the wheel rim and the tire to secure the protective cover to the wheel rim enclosing the wheel and a handle.