Abstract: The invention relates to a dextrose in powder form, characterized in that it has a dextrose content at least equal to 99%, a &agr; crystalline form content at least equal to 95%, a water content at most equal to 1% and a compressibility, determined according to a test A, at least equal to 80 N, preferably in the range 100 N and 200 N. The invention also relates to the use of said dextrose in powder form as a sweetener or excipient, particularly in food or pharmaceutical compositions, for example, for the preparation of confectionery or of tablets to be sucked, chewed, dissolved or swallowed.

Abstract: A water trampoline including a supporting shell and a plurality of concentrically disposed inflatable rings disposed within the supporting shell to form a stable, low profile buoyant platform. A trampoline mat is attached to an inner edge of the supporting shell to resiliently support it over the central opening of the platform. A zippered access opening is provided on the inner edge of the shell below the trampoline mat to provide access to the inflatable rings.

Abstract: An anti-vegetation system for retarding growth around a structure extending from the ground includes a plurality of mats. A first mat includes at least one predefined scoring pattern to accommodate the shape of the structure extending from the ground. A plurality of scoring patterns can be included to accommodate a variety of shapes and sizes. When a scoring pattern it utilized, and the corresponding portion optionally removed, the mat can be positioned on the ground and partially around the structure extending from the surface. A second mat is positioned adjacent to the first mat and effectively surrounds the structure extending from the ground. Additional mats can be placed adjacent to the first and the second mat to increase the size of the protected area. Adjacent edges can utilize corresponding outwardly extending lips to improve the sealing efficiency of the edge-to-edge regions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a combustion chamber delimited by a piston head having, inside a planar peripheral ring, a recess in the form of a concave bowl open towards the chamber and off-center on the piston axis (X—X) side which faces towards the injector inclined on the axis (X—X) and is laterally implanted on the cylinder head for direct injection into the chamber, and on the axis (X—X), a boss having, in layout, a horseshoe or crescent shape which partially enclosed the recess. The boss has an overhanging edge above the connection between the recess and the boss, whereof the upper surface is convex towards the chamber. The width of the overhanging edge is at its maximum in the horseshoe shaped boss base and gradually decreases until it substantially disappears at the tips of the two wings of the horseshoe-shaped boss, thereby ensuring a good preparation for the air/fuel mixture in the center of the chamber, opposite the axial plug at the chamber top.

Abstract: An animal trap comprises a base and a cage having an open bottom generally cooperating with and resting on the base when in a closed position to form an enclosure. A lower front edge of the cage is pivotally attached to the front edge of the base such that a rear end of the cage may be raised with respect to the base to an open position. A latch is operable to maintain the cage in the open position or the closed position, and a trigger is located in proximity to the center of the front end of the enclosure and is operable to release the latch and allow the cage to fall from the open position to the closed position when the trigger is moved in a forward or rear ward direction, or alternately in any direction.

Abstract: An improved kindling support apparatus (10) for maintaining a quantity of kindling at a desired height relative to the cross-bars (101) of a main fireplace grate (100) in either a suspended or self-supported fashion wherein the support apparatus (10) includes a kindling grate unit (11) comprising a pair of telescoping grate segments (21) (22) each provided with a grate panel (29) (29′) and, a support unit (12) including a plurality of generally L-shaped support leg members (40) (40′) that are both rotatably and vertically adjustable relative to the kindling grate unit (11).

Abstract: An internal latch for an injection mold that allows opening of the mold at parting lines while selected plates are locked in position and prevented from moving. The system includes an external bushing, an internal bushing that carries cam retainers, and a locking pin. The system may be used in an injection mold having in sequence a stationary plate, a stripper plate and a support plate. The external bushing is secured to the support plate, the internal bushing is secured to the stripper plate, and the locking pin is secured to the stationary plate. The cam retainers selectively engage grooves in the external bushing to lock the stripper plate from moving with respect to the support plate when the locking pin is inserted into the internal bushing beyond the location of the cam retainers. When the locking pin is extracted from the internal bushing, the cam retainers are free to move inwardly thus unlocking the stripper plate from the support plate.

Abstract: A locking device (10) for the conventional hitch pin (100) on a trailer (200) wherein the device (10) includes a generally U-shaped rigid one piece collar member (20) having an enlarged opening (21) dimensioned to slidably receive the recessed neck portion (101) of the hitch pin (100). The legs (29) and (22) of the collar member (20) are provided with a pair of oppositely facing counterbores (24), (25) and a through bore (30) that are dimensioned to receive a tempered steel bar member (40) and a lock member (60) for captively engaging the bar member (40) across the enlarged opening (21) in the collar member (20).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating cans or bottles from plastic bags and plastic bag parts, including a frame and a perforated drum operably rotatably attached to the frame. The drum has a circular cross section. A divider member is disposed in the interior of the drum with edges of the divider member being in close proximity to the inside of the drum. A vacuum device is connected to one side of the divider creating a lower pressure section of the drum whereby cans or bottles and plastic bags falling onto the rotating drum causes the plastic bags to attach to the exterior of the drum on the lower pressure section thereof. This allows the plastic bags to be released on the other side of the drum from the pull of the lower pressure as the drum is rotated, by having a low pressure and high pressure side of the drum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the purification of 1,3-propanediol from a fermentation medium of a 1,3-propanediol-producing microorganism, comprising 1,3-propanediol and fermentation coproducts consisting at least of glycerol, wherein the 1,3-propanediol-producing microorganism is separated from the other components of the fermentation medium to give a clarified aqueous solution, clarified aqueous solution is passed over a cation exchange resin to give at least one fraction comprising purified 1,3-propanediol and at least one fraction comprising the fermentation coproducts, and the 1,3-propanediol is recovered.

Abstract: A storage box apparatus (10) for use in combination with the rear rack (13) of an ATV (11) for transporting tree stands (15) and other hunting accessories and equipment to a remote location. The apparatus (10) includes a storage box unit (12) having a front portion attached to the rear rack (13) of the ATV (11) such that the rear portion of the storage box unit (12) is suspended in cantilever fashion from the rear of the ATV (11). The rear portion of the storage box unit (12) is provided with an article carry channel (22) and a carry channel cover (24) having at least one elongated support leg (26) slidably disposed in the rear portion of the storage box unit (12) for accommodating tree stands (15) having different dimensions.

Abstract: A multi-layer garment pad construction (10) for attachment to the interior surface (101) of a garment (100) on the knee or elbow portion. The construction (10) including a waterproof layer (11) and a padded layer (12) frictionally associated with one another and also frictionally associated respectively with an outer adhesive layer (13) and an inner overlap layer (14) which are fixedly joined to one another to form a sealed chamber surrounding the waterproof (11) and padded (12) layers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for transferring wine from a wine bottle (100) to a decanting receptacle (200) wherein the apparatus (10) includes: a pump unit (11) for introducing pressurized air into the interior of the wine bottle; a fluid withdrawal unit (12) for allowing the wine to flow out of the wine bottle (100) into a decanting receptacle (200); and, a support unit (13) for supporting the bottom of the wine bottle (100) at an angular inclination “&agr;” to consolidate the lees (110) on one side of the bottle (100); wherein, a fluid withdrawal head member (50) is provided with a plurality of lateral passageways (55) disposed at a height of “h” above the bottom of the head member (50) to prevent the lees (110) from being transferred into the decanting receptacle.

Abstract: Separable beverage receptacle packaging 10 for potable and freezable liquids, as well as a method of fabricating the same wherein the packaging 10 comprises a plurality of individual beverage receptacle units 11 aligned in a side by side fashion relative to one another. Each beverage receptacle unit 11 has an interior fluid chamber 60 defined by a lower heat weld 40, an upper heat weld 42, and two vertical heat welds 41 that are formed on opposed sheets of plastic 20, 30 and wherein the heat welds 41 between the intermediate beverage receptacle units 11 are provided with perforated strips 45 and the upper end of each receptacle unit 11 is provided with an upper horizontal heat weld 42 disposed above a tapered crimp 70 having a gap 71 that defines an integral drinking spout 48 when the tear strip above the perforated line 49 is removed from the individual beverage receptacle units 11.

Abstract: A collapsible wheeled flexible bag carrier (10) including a wheeled framework unit (11) having a pair of inverted generally U-shaped support members (20), (20)′ pivotally connected to one another and each having a pair of hollow support legs (21), (22), (21′), (22′) provided with wheel assemblies (30) and connected on their respective upper ends by cross pieces (23) wherein the lower ends of one pair of support legs (21), (22) are connected to a towing unit (13). In addition, each of the cross pieces (23), (23′) is provided with at least one tethered spring loaded clamp member (40) having jaw elements (44) that are further provided with semi-cylindrical extensions that increase the frictional surface area contact between them, the clamp members (40) and a portion of a flexible bag draped over one of the cross pieces (23), (23′).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a noncrystallizable polyol syrup stable to heat and to alkaline medium, using a step of hydrogenation of a sugar syrup and a step of caramelization of the hydrogenated sugar syrup, wherein the hydrogenated and caramelized sugar syrup is subjected to purification on ion-exchange resins, the said purification comprising at least one passage over a strong cationic resin at a temperature of less than 50° C., the said temperature being chosen according to the level of reducing sugars desired in the noncrystallizable polyol syrup. It also relates to the use of the polyol syrup obtained for the preparation of toothpastes.

Abstract: A self-winding watch includes a self-winding mass having a central part surrounded by raceways of a ball bearing. One raceway is integral with the central part. Another raceway is integral with means for positioning and means for removably fastening to watch frame. A reduction gear train for connects the self-winding mass to a barrel arbor. A reversing mechanism converts the two-directional rotational movement of said self-winding mass into a one-directional rotational movement. Two first pinions of the reversing mechanism freely pivot, concentrically, with said central part. Each of the first pinions meshes with a planet pinion. The pivot pin is integral with the central part and the toothing is shaped so as to allow only unidirectional rotations of said first pinions in two opposed respective directions of rotation. The first pinions are integral with two second respective moving parts of the gear train, the directions of rotation of which are opposite, one with respect to the other.

Abstract: A fuel tank with a baffle disposed therein is disposed at an intermediate place between the two ends of the tank is provided for preventing noise caused when fuel shifts in the fuel tank from one end to the other. In a preferred embodiment, the baffle is constructed of a fiberglass filter media material. Also in a preferred embodiment, the baffle is collapsible so that it can be inserted into an opening in the top of a plastic fuel tank and then allowed to return to its original larger height whereby it will be held by a biasing pressure in a desired position within the tank.

Abstract: A portable massage table including a planar padded base having a centrally located concave first notch in one end, and a planar padded extension that has an aligned second notch. The extension is slidably movable with respect to the base between a first position where the base and extension are aligned so that the first and second notches form a small face opening, and a second position where the base and extension are spaced apart and the first and second notches form a large face opening. One end of the base is supported by foldable legs that are telescopically adjustable in height, while the other end of the base is supported by a conventional bed.