Abstract: A method and apparatus for distilling water in combination with a home use refrigerator (11) includes a water source (29) which feeds water into a preheater (23) in which the water is passed by a portion of the condenser coil (22) in heat exchange relationship. The water exiting the preheater (23) moves to a solenoid valve (31) which controls the flow of water into a boiler (32). Heated by a hot plate (33), water in the boiler (32) generates steam which is condensed in a condenser conduit (36) chilled by the refrigerator (11). The condensed purified water runs into a water collection chamber (34) for storage until either the water dispenser (12) or ice maker (15) requires water, at which time the appropriate valve (39, 41) will open and a pump (38) will pump the water to the appropriate device.

Abstract: A vertical cyclically working flat sack machine (1) serves to package flowable or pourable materials or objects in flat sacks to be sealed, which are formed from two foils (6, 7) with a common vertical foil plane (9). On a machine frame (2) a measurer (3) with filling means (5), a deflector (8) for the two foils (6, 7), a sealer (15), a discharge device (29), and a longitudinal and transverse cutter (30, 31) are provided from top to bottom. The sealer (15) has two symmetrically fashioned units (16, 17), each comprising a pivot spar (18, 18'), a sealer spar support (20, 20'), a sealer spar (21, 21') with a sealer drive (34), a heating plate (23, 23'), a clamping plate (24, 24') and the sealing tools (25, 25', 26, 26') mounted thereupon. The units (16, 17) each are pivotable from a position running parallel to the foil plane (9), especially separated by the length of a sealing lift, about a pivot axis (19, 19') by approximately 90.degree. into a fitting and cleaning position.

Abstract: A drainage system for a conventional deck assembly made of flexible material and mounted beneath the surface decking between adjacent deck joists. The drainage system is designed to collect water leaking through the spaces between adjacent deck cross pieces and channel it to a gutter and downspout, keeping the area beneath the deck dry. The deck drainage system consists of a plurality of water channeling members respectively formed from substantially flexible web material mounted side-by-side in succession and mounted in an overlapping relationship, straddling adjacent deck joists thereby removing the deck joists from view.

Abstract: A hand driving device for a bicycle, the bicycle having a frame including an inclined frame member and a steering head. The hand driving device has a pair of spaced apart hand levers pivotally connected to a pair of pivoted levers, which are in turn pivotally connected to a pair of pedal connecting rods. Each pedal connecting rod is pivotally supported on the axle of a bicycle pedal. A pedal connecting rod fastener is passed over and along each pedal connecting rod toward the end of the pedal connecting rod for enclosing the axle of the bicycle pedal in an arcuate notch defined the end of the rod. The pivoted levers of the hand driving device are each pivotally connected to a T-shaped bracket, the T-shaped bracket in turn being connected to a pair of fastening plates mounted on the inclined frame member and steering head of the bicycle frame.

Abstract: A decorative cornice assembly to be mounted onto in-store product display fixtures, is disclosed. The various embodiments are modular, and readily can be assembled and installed in store environments. The assemblies support and display graphics displays, such as advertising and informational headpieces. The assemblies are designed to be used in association either with one sided or wall mounted display fixtures or with two sided fixtures. Decorative moldings can be incorporated to complete an attractive visual appearance to the cornice assembly.

Abstract: Processes which utilize rapid thermal processing (RTP) are provided for inexpensively producing high efficiency silicon solar cells. The RTP processes preserve minority carrier bulk lifetime .tau. and permit selective adjustment of the depth of the diffused regions, including emitter and back surface field (bsf), within the silicon substrate. Silicon solar cell efficiencies of 16.9% have been achieved. In a first RTP process, an RTP step is utilized to simultaneously diffuse phosphorus and aluminum into the front and back surfaces, respectively, of a silicon substrate. Moreover, an in situ controlled cooling procedure preserves the carrier bulk lifetime .tau. and permits selective adjustment of the depth of the diffused regions. In a second RTP process, both simultaneous diffusion of the phosphorus and aluminum as well as annealing of the front and back contacts are accomplished during the RTP step.

Abstract: An electrical conductivity tester accurately measures the time-varying electrical conductivity .sigma.(t) and steady-state electrical conductivity .sigma..sub.ss of a test material. In a first embodiment, the transmission phase of a probe circuit is monitored to determine the conductivity of a test material. In the first embodiment, an oscillator circuit generates a reference oscillator signal. A probe circuit receives the reference oscillator signal, magnetically couples to the test material, and modifies the reference oscillator signal via electromagnetic induction to derive a modified transmission phase signal. Finally, a phase detector circuit derives a transmission phase signal by combining the reference oscillator signal and the modified transmission phase signal, the transmission phase signal being directly convertible to the conductivity. In a second embodiment, an amplifier is connected to the probe circuit to form an oscillator circuit.

Abstract: A portable free standing canopy frame and bed is provided for decorating and interior design in a bedroom. The canopy includes a lower assembly which rests directly on the floor and is free standing, completely independent of any support from the bed. Vertical tubular sections (A) are joined with upper Tee and elbow joints (B) to support the canopy top (G). The upper canopy top assembly provides a rectangular structure of a width and length greater than width and length of the bed so as to provide a support for fabric which overhangs the sides of the bed below.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having a shoe body including a shoe upper, a heel portion, a toe portion, and a sole member mounted to the shoe body extending from the heel to the toe of the shoe body. The bottom of the sole member is covered with ground contacting sole to provide proper traction, and includes a first angle portion below the heel of the shoe body, a second angle portion below the toe of the shoe body, and a platform section therebetween.

Abstract: A shared aperture, multifunction conformable antenna has a spiral-mode microstrip (SMM) antenna portion having a spacer for maintaining the SMM antenna in spaced relationship to a ground plane, with dielectric material therebetween. The SMM antenna portion is substantially surrounded by a loop antenna which is spaced therefrom and which is electrically connected to the spiral-mode portion by a high frequency choke to block FM broadcast band signals from the SMM antenna. An AM-broadcast-band-blocking capacitor functions to route AM signals to the SMM antenna portion. The spiral-mode antenna receives signals at frequencies above 300 MHz, the loop antenna receives signals in the FM band, and both the loop antenna and the spiral-mode antenna receive signals in the AM band.

Abstract: A running target shooting range comprising an oscillating platform 21, wherein a marksman stands thereon so as to position himself or herself to fire bullets at a stationary target (not shown). The oscillating platform 21 is supported on and moves by rollers or wheels 31 which are positioned in a stationary base member 25 located below the surface of the oscillating platform 21. Pivot arm 32 engages both the stationary base member 25 and the oscillating platform 21 at a generally central location, wherein the platform is oscillatable about the pivot arm 32 when a drive mechanism, also housed in the stationary base member 25 is activated. The drive mechanism 80 comprises a gearmotor 81, which propels a rotary shaft 82 having one end engaging the motor and the other end including a small-toothed pinion wheel 84, and wherein the teeth on the pinion wheel 84 mate with matching teeth on the bottom side of a cam system when the shaft is rotated.

Abstract: A nozzle for a sootblower is used to project a cleaning agent against the internal surfaces of a boiler for removing fireside deposit. The nozzle of the present invention incorporates a passageway having a convergent segment between its entrance end most narrow point, the throat. Extending from the throat to the nozzle's exit is an expansion chamber in which the cleaning fluid passing therein expands and drops in pressure to substantially ambient pressure. The flow streams of the jet of the cleaning agent discharged from the nozzle is essentially parallel to the center axis of the nozzle. Additionally, the nozzles can be mounted diametrically opposed or spaced along the longitudinal axis of the lance tube. Moreover, the nozzles mounted in a lance tube can be mounted flush with the outside surface of the lance tube, contoured to its shape.

Abstract: A hydrostatic type of fluid seal for use with a rotating shaft within a housing has a compliant face in non-contacting relationship to a hard planar face. The compliant face includes a compliant foundation member having a foil member on one surface thereof. In one embodiment of the invention, the compliance of the foundation member is made to vary with the seal radius, with the stiffest portion of the compliant foundation member being in the region of the inside radius or diameter, and the most yieldable portion being in the region of the outside radius or diameter.

Abstract: Front and rear needle bars are provided with front and rear needles for inserting yarns into a backing material. An excess of front loopers are provided for the front needles and an excess of rear loopers are provided for the rear needles. The front loopers respectively face the rear loopers and are respectively aligned with each other. The needle bars are shifted laterally so as to provide longitudinal rows of tufts formed by the front needles providing spacing between the tufts of a longitudinal row which space is filled in by the tufts of rear needles.

Abstract: A self-inflating tissue expander (1) serves to create cavities for the insertion of implants or to provide tissue for a self transplantation. The tissue expander itself is implanted into the tissue, where it absorbs body fluid, especially water from the surrounding tissue due to an osmotic driving force. The tissue expander (1) has a shaped body (5) made from hydrogel (2).

Abstract: Rhenium complexes of formula (I), radiolabelled complexes thereof or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: ##STR1## wherein R is straight or branched chain C.sub.1-10 alkyl, C.sub.1-10 alkenyl, C.sub.1-10 alkynyl optionally substituted by cycloalkyl or aryl; C.sub.1-10 cycloalkyl optionally substituted by straight or branched chain alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or aryl; or aryl optionally substituted by straight or branched chain alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or cycloalkyl for use in liver cancer therapy and metastasis of cancer.

Abstract: A golf accessory holder for holding one or more golf balls, golf tees and other golf accessories. The golf accessory holder includes a housing (12) having an inner chamber (21) in which golf balls are received. A pusher plate (36) mounted to a compression spring (32) engages and urges the golf balls into tight frictional engagement with a first end (13) of the housing (12) to secure the golf balls within the golf accessory holder.

Abstract: An electrical conductivity tester accurately measures the time-varying electrical conductivity .sigma.(t) and steady-state electrical conductivity .sigma..sub.ss, of a test material. In a first embodiment, the transmission phase of a probe circuit is monitored to determine the conductivity of a test material. In the first embodiment, an oscillator circuit generates a reference oscillator signal. A probe circuit receives the reference oscillator signal, magnetically couples to the test material, and modifies the reference oscillator signal via electromagnetic induction to derive a modified transmission phase signal. Finally, a phase detector circuit derives a transmission phase signal by combining the reference oscillator signal and the modified transmission phase signal, the transmission phase signal being directly convertible to the conductivity. In a second embodiment, an amplifier is connected to the probe circuit to form an oscillator circuit.

Abstract: The invention is a sidewall for a cargo vessel having a seamless, snag-free interior liner. The wall includes an exterior skin that is rivetted to a first side of a supporting sidepost, and a seamless, snag-free interior liner that is mounted to the second side of the sidepost. The method for making the sidewall includes rivetting the exterior skin to the first side of the supports, and then gluing the seamless interior liner material to the second side of the supports with or without tension, and so that the interior liner is not at all pierced by fasteners, or only pierced in areas that are not likely to contact cargo. In a preferred embodiment, the interior liner is mounted to the second side of the supports under tension to maximize the interior liners' ability to absorb and deflect cargo impact and remain snag-free, sag-free and puncture resistant.