Abstract: A gas distributor for an apparatus for refining molten metal, the distributor being positionable in a vessel with a heat source for heating the metal and inlets and outlets for metal and gases. The distributor includes a stationary unit and a rotating unit, with the rotating unit including a rotor carried on the lower end of a shaft rotatably positioned within the stationary unit, and with the stationary unit including a stator carried at the lower end of a sleeve, with the rotor having a frusto-conical upper surface and the stator having a mating frusto-conical lower surface with an outward gas flow path between the mating surfaces into the vessel. Also, a gas flow path is provided into the vessel downward from the lower end of the rotating unit. Further the stator and rotor have vanes at the outer surfaces thereof defining oblique channels which converge in the downward direction, with the rotor diameter preferably greater than the stator diameter.

Abstract: A water saver unit for use with a flush toilet having a tank, a flush handle, a tank drain opening and a flapper valve support, with a flapper valve having a flapper element for mounting on the flapper valve support, and a strap for connecting the flapper element to the flapper handle, with the flapper element having a solid disk with upper and lower surfaces, a center section and a rim, with radially extending ribs on the upper surface between the center section and rim, and with the bottom surface tapering downward from the rim toward the center section. A float is positioned on the strap to provide bouyancy to the flapper valve as long as the float is below the water level in the toilet tank. The flapper element solid disk is of substantially uniform thickness between the center section and rim, and the bottom surface taper is in the order of 5 to 20 degrees, preferably about 10 degrees.

Abstract: A water jet propulsion unit having a housing, a drive shaft, an impeller for mounting on the drive shaft, and a thrust bearing for supporting the drive shaft in the housing. The propulsion unit further includes a shaft seal unit for the shaft, with the housing having a forward end and a rear end, a bore with a longitudinal axis for slidingly receiving the shaft seal unit form the rear of the housing, with the shaft seal unit and the bearing carried on the shaft, a shoulder for preventing forward movement of the bearing in the bore along the axis beyond a predetermined position, and a lateral opening for access through the housing to the shaft seal unit, and a retainer moveable through the lateral opening for engagement with the shaft seal unit and the housing for limiting rearward movement of the shaft seal unit in the bore.

Abstract: A top coat composition for application over a nail polish, consisting essentially of cellulose acetate butyrate resin, a mixture of solvents for dissolving the cellulose acetate butyrate resin to form a first solution, a plasticizer for the first solution, and a solvent for the plasticizer, providing a dry non-tacky, non-brittle solid coat and which is quick drying when applied over a nail polish while wet with improved hardness and gloss.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for tissue cutting and cauterizing using a YAG laser and an optical fiber. YAG laser outputs at wavelengths of 1.06 and 1.3 microns are used for tissue cauterizing and cutting, respectively. In one embodiment, a multimode laser with means for switching the laser output between the two wavelengths is utilized; in another embodiment, individual lasers operating at the respective wavelengths are utilized.

Abstract: A cooling tunnel for baked tortillas and the like, the tunnel having a housing defining a cooling space, an aperatured product conveyor for moving the product to be cooled through the cooling space, means for moving cooling gas over the tortillas in the cooling space, closed loop flexible hold down chains, supports for positioning the hold down chains in the cooling space for resting on the conveyor, and a drive for moving the hold down chains through the cooling space along with the conveyor with the tortillas between the hold down chains and the conveyor.

Abstract: A multiple chamber hose for drip irrigation and the like, with a primary chamber for fluid flow therethrough and a multiple layer section having a primary layer, a mid layer and a secondary layer, and with a secondary chamber in the mid layer for fluid flow therethrough. The primary layer is positioned between the primary chamber and the mid layer, and the secondary layer is positioned between the mid layer and the exterior. The hose includes an inlet opening for fluid flow from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber and an outlet opening for fluid flow from the secondary chamber to the exterior.

Abstract: A cutter box for receiving a loaf of bread or the like and guiding slicing of the loaf, including a base having a bottom, a grill with the base having a rim or edge for positioning the grill in the base above the bottom, and a pair of guide plates, with the grill having a plurality of parallel spaced slots for receiving the guide plates, each of the guide plates having a vertical member with a slot for guiding a knife and positionable in the slots of the grill, and a horizontal member positionable in the guide space for holding guide plates in place with the grill is placed in the base, with guide plates being removable from the grill and insertable in different slots.

Abstract: A belt buckle having a body with a top and a bottom with a transverse bar at one end for attachment of a belt and defining a belt axis, and inlet and outlet slots for the belt with the slots spaced from each other and defining a belt path oblique to the belt axis so that a belt inserted through the inlet and outlet slots will be at an oblique angle to the fixed end of the belt at the attachment member.

Abstract: A stand for reception and distribution of documents and including a base, an upright support panel projecting upward from the base, a paper support ledge projecting outward from the panel, and the first and second wings at opposite sides of the panel and ledge defining a receptacle for documents. The stand may be made from a single sheet of material, or from a number of pieces, preferably a clear plastic. Preferably the panel and ledge are oblique to the base, and the panel has an open ended slot for access to documents resting on the panel and ledge. A tray for positioning under the base to provide a separate horizontal storage area for documents.

Abstract: A cover for a latch or the like mounted at an opening in a panel and comprising a base member and a closure member, with the base member having a bottom and a wall around the bottom, and with the closure member having a gasket, a closed top, and a hinge joining the gasket and top. The base member bottom and the closure member gasket have openings for alignment with the panel opening for receiving the latch and clamping the cover to the panel around the latch, with the base member wall and said closure member top having interengaging lips for holding the closure member top on the base member wall.

Abstract: A positive photoresist stripper composition includes a solvent system having solubility parameters which fall within a range from about 8.5 to about 15 in an amount which falls within a range from about 65% to about 98%. An amine is present in an amount which falls within a range from about 2% to about 25%. A fatty acid having 8 to 20 carbon atoms is present in an amount which falls within a range from about 0.1% to about 10% (all percents being by weight). The amount of the amine and of the fatty acid are selected to provide a pH which falls in a range from about 6 to about 9.5. Positive photoresist is stripped from a substrate by immersing the substrate in the aforementioned composition. Metal deposited on the substrate is not attached by the composition.

Abstract: A drink mug with open top, closed bottom, and a body portion between the top and bottom, an inwardly projecting ring in the body portion, spaced vertical passages in the ring, spaced notches in the body portion below the ring, a lid for resting on the ring, and latch members carried on the lid and projecting downward therefrom with the latch members passing through the vertical passages as the lid is positioned on the ring, and with the latch members positioned in the notches when the lid is rotated on the ring latching the lid in place on the ring. In the preferred embodiment flexible fingers connecting the latch members to the lid, with two vertical passages opposite each other, and two notches opposite each other and at 90.degree. to the vertical passages.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting leaks in an internal combustion engine head with head support brackets carried on parallel beams in a support frame, and cam type clamps for clamping an engine head and a head coolant port cover in place on the support frame so that the head can be quickly and easily installed and removed and can be rotated to various orientations while installed during the application of pressure and leak detection.

Abstract: A panic bar mechanism for an exit door having a frame with a stile, upper and lower lock rods vertically sliding in the stile, and a panic bar carried on levers pivotally mounted on the door frame. The mechanism includes a plate mounted in the stile for rotation about a horizontal axis, upper and lower connectors each having a first end attached to the plate on opposing sides of the horizontal axis and each having a second end attached to the upper and lower lock rods, respectively, and a drive pin carried in the lower connector parallel to the horizontal axis, with one or more of the levers having an inner end directly engaging the drive pin for moving the drive pin upward and rotating the plate about the horizontal axis and moving the lock rods vertically. In the preferred embodiment, the mechanism is non-handed, with both levers capable of engaging the drive pin.