Abstract: A probe for diagnosing periodontal disease includes a sulfide responsive measuring electrode and a reference electrode joined by a salt bridge. The reference electrode is maintained in a saturated salt environment. The probe may include a sound generation for providing an auditory indication of sulfide concentration.

Abstract: A signal distribution system includes module-receiving means whereby a user may select isolation circuitry to eliminate ground-loop-induced interference. The invention is particularly suited to signal distribution systems characterized in having large numbers of equipment pieces interconnected over communication paths of a distance conducive to ground-loop effects, such as configurations associated with audio and/or video magnetic-tape duplication. In the preferred embodiment, each piece of equipment susceptible to such ground-loop effects includes on a primary circuit board within its enclosure a module-receiving connector to which one of a plurality of user-selectable circuitry-containing modules attaches. The equipment may be shipped with a module in the form of jumpers, and this module may be left in place or later added in the event that no interference is apparent.

Abstract: An improved tympanic thermometer incorporates twin thermopiles, each including a set of sensing junctions and a set of reference junctions configured so that three of the four sets of junctions sense only the temperature of an ambient environment, while the fourth set of junctions receives energy from both the ambient environment and from the tympanic membrane of a patient whose temperature is being taken. The energy received from the tympanic membrane is intentionally not bandwidth limited, enabling an accurate temperature measurement to be calculated which is substantially independent of wavelength. A light pipe is optionally included to assist in carrying radiation from the tympanic membrane to the fourth set of thermocouple junctions used for temperature sensing. In the preferred embodiment a dielectric coating is internally applied within the light pipe, and interchangeable tubes may be provided which conform to the aural physiology of different patients, including children.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool is disclosed having an evacuation bore and generally radially extending passages to conduct away material being removed by the tool cutters. In one embodiment, intersecting cutters are disposed at the intersections of right and left hand flutes in the tool shank. In another embodiment, the cutters are radially disposed on a cutting disc.

Abstract: A composition for the treatment of actinic keratoses includes 5-fluorouracil and an alpha hydroxy carboxylic acid. The composition may further include ancillary ingredients. A therapeutic method involving the composition and a kit for carrying out the treatment are also disclosed.

Abstract: A PC-based system for monitoring and storing representative images from video cameras may be utilized for security or other monitoring applications. Camera inputs from digital or analog sources are individually and independently digitized and displayed at a first set of image sizes, sampling rates, and frame rates, and may be stored in digital form on various recording media at a second set of image sizes, sampling rates, and frame rates, and these two sets of sizes and rates may or may not be identical. Provisions are included for adding detection or alarm systems which will automatically alter image size, sampling rate and/or frame rate of an individual input source, or activate other physical responses. In addition to security system monitoring, further applications of the invention are disclosed for process monitoring in manufacturing environments and also for applications in videoconferencing.

Abstract: A module containing digital compression and decompression circuitry is used in conjunction with a system whereby a video program may be communicated over a telephone line to an RF broadcaster to be received by individuals at remote locations equipped with one of the modules. In the preferred embodiment, the RF transmitter is an FM transmitter, and the video broadcasts are modulated onto a subcarrier, such as an SCA subcarrier. The module has various other inputs and outputs adapted for connection to other video-related devices and/or a personal computer which may be used for control or program production. A configuration is also described whereby multiple modules may be used in conjunction with a conference control module enabling multiple participants to view one another as part of a gathering such as a classroom instruction situation.

Abstract: A container with a flexible spout adapted to selectively regulate the flow of liquid therefrom. The spout has a diameter appropriate for being received in an accommodating fill opening such as the oil fill opening of an automobile engine. The spout has an outer portion and a inner portion bendable about a portion of the spout located between the outer portion and inner portion. The bendable portion may be configured as an annular groove extending around the circumference of the spout. The inner portion extends from the top portion of the reservoir. The outer portion extends from the annular groove and terminates at a normally open outlet through which the oil from the container is poured into the oil fill. Threads are provided about the exterior of the outer portion of the spout adjacent the opening to threadedly receive a cap to cover the outlet and close the opening. The annular groove uniformly extends around the circumference of the spout.

Abstract: A baseball bat or the like comprises a tube formed with an outer layer of cellulose material covering a layer of fiber reinforced resin, with the tube layers being impregnated with and bonded to one another with a cured resin. The outer layer of the bat consists of one or more strips or sheets of cellulose material such as paper or wood. Cellulose fibers tend to stretch when deformed by the ball impact so as to spread the impact over a number of fibers and exhibit a high compressive strength. Therefore, they may be effectively utilized as the outer layer of the bat. The tube preferably has a foam core including a central cavity lined with a layer of fiber reinforced resin, said core having sufficient resiliency to allow the tube to resiliently deform during impact with a baseball. Bat performance may further be improved by adding an internal layer of fiber reinforced resin to the interior of the foamed core.

Abstract: A guard rail assembly formed of at least two vertical rails and a horizontal rail extending above the vertical rails and supported by the vertical rails. The vertical rails are spaced sufficiently apart to prevent passage of a child's head therein between the vertical rails. Both horizontal and vertical rails preferably include polymerized sheathing about the rails to protect the rails from the environment.

Abstract: A process for production of a two-part cage nut from a single metal plate. The cage nut includes a nut slidably carried on a holding part. The nut includes a base plate having a threaded sleeve. The holding part includes a holding plate having an aperture and a pair of side walls which are bent over the edge of the base plate of the nut. The process production includes stamping the holding part and nut from a single metal plate. The nut is joined to the base plate by a narrow connecting web. The base plate is then bent about the connecting web and positioned over the holding plate between the side walls. The side walls are bent inwardly until they extend over the side edges of the base plate of the nut. The nut is separated from the holding plate by shearing off the now bent over portion of the connecting web. The nut is permitted to slide between boundary tabs on a guide path between the side walls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a room for circulating the air, for substantially balancing the temperature of the air distributed in the room, and for treating the air. The apparatus comprises a body having an interior cavity. The cavity is provided with an air-circulating fan assembly and air treating component. The air treating component may be hollow and may include filtering, deodorizing, and scenting material. Strategic placement of the apparatus within a room allows for substantially balanced room temperatures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mixing two or more materials which are difficult to mix. The dispersion apparatus has a cylindrical housing which is divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by a baffle. The materials to be mixed are forced under high pressure into the lower chamber which is divided into three pressure zones by kinetic baffles. A turbine blade imparts energy to the liquids which are kept from swirling by the kinetic baffles. The high pressure of the materials introduced into the chamber forces the materials through an opening between the baffle and shaft turning the blade into the upper chamber. In the upper chamber a second blade imparts centrifugal force to the materials to force them outwardly through a porous screen. The materials are sheared as they move through the screen and then are delivered to an outlet.

Abstract: A cover assembly as provided for a paint can having an open top and a tubular cylindrical sidewall. The cover assembly includes a lid dimensioned to overlie the open top of a paint can and having a spout for dispensing paint from the can. A closure assembly is also provided for selectably opening and closing the spout, and a paint stirrer is rotatably secured to the lid. An annular skirt extends downwardly from the lid and includes a portion which overlies the sidewall when the lid is positioned on top of the can. The skirt is compressed against the sidewall by a locking mechanism to thereby attach the lid to the can. A removable closure cover is provided for both the portion of the closure overlying the spout as well as a spout cover which overlies both the spout and the adjacent portion of the lid.

Abstract: A canopy assembly (10) comprising a canopy fabric (20) and furling means (40) extending between a pair of supports (30). The furling means (40) runs through the canopy fabric such that the canopy may be unfurled from both sides of the furling means simultaneously. Both free corners (22, 24) of the unfurled canopy are tethered to the ground or posts (50) to provide a taut smooth canopy. The tension in the furling means (40) is adjustable such that it remains substantially straight and taut in a furling condition, and in an erected condition may be relaxed to conform to the curved shape of the canopy.

Abstract: An improved tray system and articulator for use with a replication of a dental patient's teeth taken by a conventional dental impression in the creation of a dental model of the patient's mouth. A first tray and a second tray are provided, each tray having a substantially planar surface upon which a substrate layer of a stone material is applied. An insert is detachably secured to each of the trays and includes an upper keyed portion about which the stone layer bonds. An upper conventional dental impression is secured to the substrate stone layer of the first dental tray and a lower dental impression is secured to the substrate layer of the second dental tray. A reusable articulator includes first and second hinged members which secure to the first and second trays and mount the trays so as to position the teeth replications.

Abstract: A drive attachment device (10), particularly adapted to receive and transmit drive to the handle (31) of a paint brush (30) comprises a body (11) having a socket (12) for receiving the end of a paint brush, and resilient retaining means in the form of tension springs (17) mounted on pegs (16) to span an opening (18) through which the handle (31) of the paint brush (30) is introduced when being fitted to the device. The tension springs exert sufficient force on the paint brush handle both to retain it in position against axial displacement and to transmit rotation when the body (10) is rotated.

Abstract: A chain propelled belt conveyor having a centrally mounted single strand of roller chain. The roller chain drives the belt and supports the belt along the upper load carrying run of the belt. Pairs of conveyor trolleys support the central portion of the belt about the return non-load carrying run of the belt. A track having a horizontal rail extending between a pair of opposed C-shaped channel sections is used to guide the roller chain assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhancing the definition of television images in real-time is presented. Television video signals are digitized and processed, preferably through 3-D filtering, to increase the number of pixels per line, horizontal lines per frame, and frames per second and provide an output in progressive-scan format. The system accepts an interlaced scanned image of any transmission standard (NTSC, PAL, etc.), and can be adapted to work on progressively scanned images or digitally stored/transmitted images in real-time or off-line.

Abstract: A portable misting device and fan for use by sunbathers and those engaged in athletic pursuits. The fan encloses a fan blade unit and the misting device includes a body which contains a volume of a liquid and which is mounted to a rear of the fan by a mounting bracket. A spray applicator extends from the body and is in a direction above and toward a front of said fan blade unit. The spray applicator is actuable to withdraw fluid from within the misting device body and to supply it as an atomized spray in front of the fan blade unit. The fan blade unit cools and distributes the spray in a direction chosen by the user.