Abstract: A container having an open top and being adapted to be filled with liquid, wherein a vacuum is prevented from being formed within the container when inverted comprising a receptacle adapted to contain a quantity of liquid, a vent unit adapted to fit within the receptacle comprising a reservoir tube having an upper and lower portion, the reservoir tube having a proximal first end adjacent the top of the container and an open second end projecting sufficiently downwardly in the container, wherein the vent unit has an airway between the outside of the container and a point in the reservoir tube, a reservoir tube having a distal end having an opening, the vent tube projecting downwardly into the upper portion of the vent tube, and an airway extending from outside the container through the vent tube into the vent unit so that when the container is filled with liquid and inverted, the open end of the reservoir tube is above the liquid level in the container and the opening in the vent tube is above the liquid level

Abstract: A flow diffuser is shown for use with a flow control valve which produces laminar flow patterns in the fluid upon exiting the control valve. The flow diffuser is formed from a cylindrical body and is situated inside a flow control valve. Fluid enters the flow diffuser after passing the poppet. The inlet opening for the flow diffuser is on the axis of the body. The flow is then radially diverted through a plurality of outlet passages. The outlet passages converge to return the flow to a single stream. The walls of the outlet passage are defined by vanes within the body of the flow diffuser. Upon exiting the flow diffuser the fluid enters a transition zone until reaching the outlet port of the flow control valve. The flow diffuser eliminates turbulence, thereby reducing energy loss in the flow, wear on the valve, and noise.

Abstract: A device for retaining a sample cylinder is adjustable such that the sample cylinder may be positioned in various angular orientations relative to a support structure. The cylinder holder device includes a mounting bracket adapted to be fixed to the support structure. A cylinder tray is rotatably mounted to the support bracket, with the tray adapted to retain the sample cylinder. A retractable engaging device is fixed to the mounting bracket and selectively engages various apertures in the cylinder tray to change the angular orientation of the cylinder tray and thus the sample cylinder relative to the mounting bracket and the support structure. The apertures are spaced to provide predetermined angular orientations.

Abstract: A stabilized insertion device to prevent harmonic vibration or "wiggle" when inserting a probe or sensor into a gas pipeline. A shaft guide is placed around the shaft inside the housing of the insertion device. The shaft guide is composed of two sections. The first section is wider than the second. The second section is received by a spool bushing located inside the housing proximate to the pipeline. When the shaft is fully extended the spool bushing holds the shaft guide steady which in turn holds the shaft steady. An annular bevel and taper may be added to the spool bushing and shaft guide, respectively, to aid in the coupling thereof. Optionally, the shaft guide may be bisected to make it movable to different positions on the shaft, thereby allowing for probe insertion at a variety of depths.

Abstract: A material holding apparatus comprising a receptacle and an integrated finger mount. A lip or groove is circumferentially added to disposable plastic cups used in the dental profession. The receptacle preferably includes projections which mate by snap fit with either the lip or groove of the disposable cups. The finger mount is made of a flexible material and is made with two arms extending from the base of the receptacle, arcing to form a ring. The ends of the arms approach one another, bur remain flexible so as to fit a wide variety of finger sizes. Alternatively, a single band may be used as the finger mount. With either embodiment, the finger mount is slipped over the finger of the use, usually a dental professional.

Abstract: A set of tubes, having inlets and outlets, is placed on the downstream side of a modulating flow regulator or valve in a gas flow line. The inlet tubes collect all the gas flow in the tubes. The tubes bend gently and redirect the gas flow so that gas turbulence is reduced. The tubes are grouped as a bundle downstream and position the set of tube outlets so that downstream flow is less noisy and less turbulent.

Abstract: Orange carrots have a beta-carotene content of 75-150 ppm. Orange carrots are commonly used in strained baby foods. The high beta-carotene content of orange carrots results in a high vitamin A statement on the product label and causes the product to have an orange color. White carrots and yellow carrots have a beta-carotene content of less than 10 ppm. White carrots and/or yellow carrots can be used in lieu of, or in combination with, orange carrots to control beta-carotene levels and the color of baby foods. White sweet potatoes can be used in lieu of, or in combination with, white carrots, orange carrots and orange sweet potatoes to control beta-carotene levels and the color of baby foods. The term white sweet potatoes refers to tubers of light colored flesh of the species Ipomea batata, of the morning glory family, Convolvulaceae.

Abstract: A piping structure and method of manufacture allow for the mechanical joining of two piping products as well as the hydraulic and mechanical sealing thereof by means of an elastomeric gasket having an integral pressure transference device. A socket is produced in one pipe product along with an integrally formed interlock means and the gasket. A spigot is produced in another pipe product along with an integrally formed interlock means complementary to the socket interlock means. The gasket is situated within the socket adjacent a tapered wall portion of the socket and is compressed by a tapered portion of the spigot. In a preferred form, the piping product is formed of a thermoplastic wherein the socket and spigot are easily formed after initial production of the piping product. However, the present joining system is not limited to after product formation and may be utilized for a variety of piping materials and methods of manufacture.

Abstract: A material handling lift having a movable frame, a mast mounted at one end to a shuttle assembly movable on the frame, and a load handling assembly attached to the mast by means of two extending arm members. The frame comprises two longitudinal C-shaped side rails in which the shuttle assembly can be reciprocated by wheels which engage the inner surfaces of the rails. The sections of the wheels which engage the rails are arched to prevent the lift from tipping when the lift is moving in a sloped direction. Guide wheels mounted on the shuttle assembly rotate across the surfaces of the sides of the upper rails, thereby stabilizing movement of the shuttle assembly along the rails. The shuttle assembly can be sustained in any position along the rails by operation of a hand-operated shuttle brake.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cooling porous materials whereby first gases are passed through a porous material, such as polyurethane foam, in a first zone at a predetermined flow rate to cool the porous material and to remove volatiles therefrom in a first gas mixture which exits the porous material at a predetermined temperature. The first gas mixture is combined with second gases having a temperature which is lower than that of the first gas mixture to form a second gas mixture having a temperature which is sufficiently low to condense or sublime one or more of the volatiles. Thereafter, the second gas mixture is passed through the porous material to filter the condensed or sublimed volatiles thereon and to further cool the porous material. The flow rate of the heated gases is controlled to provide a controlled uniform cooling of the porous material, and additional filters may be utilized to remove particulate matter from either of the heated gases or the cold gases, or both.

Abstract: A tuning knob and tuning knob system for a stringed instrument such as a guitar replaces the existing tuning knob. The present tuning knob is a cylindrical knob with exterior knurls and a central bore therethrough. At one end, the bore is adapted to be received over the tuning stem while the other end of the bore is configured to receive a crank. The crank provides additional leverage for instrument tuning.

Abstract: An alarm system for boat covers is shown which deters the removal or the slicing of said cover. A perimeter circuit embedded into the hem of the cover is used in conjunction with specially adapted snap receptacles for cover removal protection. When snapped, the specially adapted snap receptacles act as closed switches in the perimeter circuit, and when unsnapped they act as open switches in the perimeter circuit. The cover is protected from slicing by circuitry affixed thereto. In the preferred embodiment a conduction grid made of a high-resistance material is affixed to the cover. A microprocessor constantly monitors the resistance and trips the alarm when the resistance substantially changes. The microprocessor is also capable of detecting resistance changes in the perimeter circuit if high-resistance wire is used for that circuit. In an alternative embodiment, wire electrical circuits are affixed to the surface of the boat cover.

Abstract: A power supervised emergency warning device provides a shaking motion to a piece of furniture coupled thereto upon receipt of an electronic actuating signal from an external closed contact type device. A backup battery provides power to the device in the case of a main power outage. External warning devices may be coupled to the device which are activated upon receipt by the device of the actuating signal. Additional external device hook-ups are provided as well as the ability to be coupled to auxiliary modules. The auxiliary modules accept actuating signals from additional external closed contact type devices to produce shaking. Additional indication devices may also be coupled thereto. Additional auxiliary modules may also be chained thereto.

Abstract: A method of producing realistic, artificial tree bark from an original natural tree initially includes forming a mold by applying a flexible rubber molding onto a selected tree. The mold is removed as a sheet and spread flat. An in-mold coating and an isocyanate and polyol containing compound is applied and allowed to cure. The bark is thereafter removed from the mold. Various colors may be added either as pre-mixed or after. Reinforcing materials may also be used.

Abstract: A blade plow preferably formed by three frame sections hingedly coupled together includes a ground or terrain contour following mechanism within each frame section. The contour mechanism allows the middle blade to be raised and lowered to maintain the entire central blade horizontal relative to the plow frame and at a constant depth within the ground. Additional "fixed" blades are hydraulically setable for depth of cut. The terrain contour following mechanism allows for larger frame widths without the usual tendency of smaller width frames to buckle due to ground unevenness.

Abstract: A food service tray for a thermalization cart is injection molded as a one-piece integral tray. The tray includes a plurality of integral compartments some of which are for the placement of food items that are going to be heated (a heatable or hot compartment), the other compartments of which are for the placement of food items that will remain cold (a cold compartment). The bottom wall of each of the heatable compartments is of less thickness than the bottom wall of each of the cold compartments. Additionally, the upper surfaces of the bottom walls of each of the heatable compartments are in a first common plane that is coplanar to a second common plane formed by the bottom surfaces of the bottom walls of each of the cold compartments. Therefore, the bottom surfaces of the bottom walls of the heatable compartments are naturally in a third common plane that is axially below the second common plane.

Abstract: A power control system in a DIN rail mount assembly for switching power in a low cost, compact, and solid state for controlling electric heaters. The system can be used for single phase, three phase-two leg, and three phase-three leg. Current switching capabilities range from 30A to 50A. Variable time base, 4-20 mA process control or VAC/DC input contactor configurations can be utilized. The DIN Rail back plate includes a sliding mechanical configuration. A potting fence provides for potting of the electrical substrate and also provides a heat sink. A large cover covers finger palm safer terminals. The DIN rail assembly can also be used for supporting electrical, electromechanical, optical or other types of assemblies.

Abstract: A one-piece, seamless food service base is insert molded from a heat and impact resistant plastic. The base is shaped to receive a standard serving plate and includes an integrally molded core. The core is made from a metal or other material that is characteristically susceptible to heating through induction heating. In one form, the core is a solid metal disk with strategically disposed bores for molding the base. In another form, the core is a hollow metal disk having a standard wax phase change core.