Abstract: A tuber to be cut for reproduction purposes is supported on a carrier and moved toward a knife blade assembly that cuts the tuber. Throughout operation, the blade is maintained at a temperature sufficiently elevated to destroy pathogens. That temperature level is further elevated during cutting to an amount sufficient to cauterize the tuber surface, offset cooling of the blade by reasons of moisture in the tuber and to clear the blade of tissue residue from the tuber. Further included are means selectively operatable to elevate the temperature of the carrier to a level sufficient to sanitize the carrier.

Abstract: An ultraviolet radiation dosimeter is to be employed by a person the skin of whom has been protected by a substance tending to inhibit the transmission of the radiation therethrough and which substance has a predetermined value of inhibition. Disposed to the radiation is a sensor that develops a signal in correspondence to the level of the radiation. Responding to that signal is a processor which accumulates a representation of the magnitude of the signal as effectively integrated with an elapsed time of exposure of the sensor to the radiation. An indication of the degree of the accumulation is yielded in response to the representation of the magnitude. The value of inhibition is used in order selectively to adjust in correspondence thereto the determination of the degree at which the indication is yielded. Both analog and digital circuitry are presented, along with variations and additions such as also adjusting response in accordance with the skin type of the user.

Abstract: A water fillable casting float includes a hollow shell with an interior tube that mates with a conduit defined as a plug. Mating slits allow mounting of the assembly upon a fishing line. A valve structure permits allowing water to enter the float in order to adjust its, thus, weight and ultimate depth of position in the water. Another valve accommodates that approach. A line stop, mountable upon a fishing line, also cooperates with the float. It features a staggered arrangement of line-receiving openings.

Abstract: A water filter has an elongated base with an inlet opening near one end thereof to which is secured an adaptor ring for attachment to a water faucet. A first outlet opening on the base dispenses unfiltered water and there is a channel defined within the base that leads toward the other end, with an externally-operable valve being included for selecting between unfiltered flow to that outlet and flow down the channel. Located near the other end of the base is a mounting on which sits a water filter cartridge that communicates with the channel, and the cartridge delivers filtered water to a second outlet. A number of features include a color indicator to exhibit degree of cartridge usage, a reversible adaptor ring to accommodate different faucets and there are different aerator structures. Of particular note is the replaceable cartridge which includes a deflector for obtaining better usage of the main filtering material, an exteriorally-mounted first filter and an internally-mounted second filter.

Abstract: A broad-beam electron source has a chamber into which is introduced an ionizing gas. Electrons are emitted between a cathode and an anode assembly to ionize that gas. The electrons within the plasma are drawn outwardly from the chamber through an apertured wall, which constitutes a screen, and thereafter are accelerated toward a target in a well-directed beam. A comparatively copious supply of electrons is developed, while yet requiring only low voltages in connection with its generation and resulting in correspondingly low electron energies. Ions produced external to the electron source itself are utilized to assist in neutralizing the charge density of the electron beam in order to help maintain its definition. For insulative targets, secondarily emitted electrons permit conservation of surface charge.

Abstract: A marking system indicates the location of lanes which are to be defined on a running track that has a given width and selected degree of curvature. A pivot is established at a fixed distance from the lanes to be marked. A boom assembly disposed laterally across the track carries a plurality of lane-marking devices individually spaced therealong. That assembly is supported for movement along the track. One end of the boom is propelled by a propulsion unit, and an alignment unit is coupled to the other end of the boom for enabling alignment movement relative to the pivot. A cable leads from the outer end of the boom over the inner end thereof and to the pivot for enabling alignment. Numerous detailed features contribute to an attainment of accuracy measured in fractions of an inch.

Abstract: For laying and joining successive sections of pipe, a vehicle is movable over a course along which the pipe is to be laid. Carried on the vehicle is a crane, the outer end portion of which is movable both vertically and horizontally relative to the course of the pipeline. A controllable grapple mounted on that outer end of the crane is engageable with a section of the pipe, so that operation of the grapple together with the crane enables each section of the pipe to be picked up, moved into position over and deposited along the course. A vibrator is attached to the grapple and serves to induce vibration thereinto and from the grapple into the section of pipe being carried. The vibration is induced as an end of the section carried by the grapple is slidably mated with another section of the pipe which lies along the course. The vibration also is used to assist in bedding the pipe section being laid.

Abstract: A showerhead includes a housing which defines different sets of spray outlets and includes a mounting for the housing that defines a path of water flow from an inlet. Formed on the housing are circumferentially-spaced grooves and formed on the mounting are mating lugs. Lands disposed between successive ones of the grooves include a cam surface which elevates in continuation toward the entrance of a next groove and then terminates in a step leading toward the bottom of that next groove, as a result of which the assembly atop the lands and subsequent movement of the lugs over the cam surface lockingly drops the lugs into corresponding ones of the grooves. The mounting includes a handle through which water flows and which is removably received within arms of a bracket to which water is supplied and therefrom led into the handle. A channel within the body of the bracket accepts a shank projecting from a pivot ball which sealing seats within a nut that, in turn, is threaded onto a water-supply pipe.

Abstract: A boom assembly has an upright stand with a vertical hollow post and on top of which is mounted an elongated hollow boom adjustable in orientation in both vertical and horizontal directions. A linear extention member for the boom is also in the form of a hollow tube. The stand includes a plurality of legs each in the form of a hollow tube and there are a plurality of foot elements such as casters. The different parts of the assembly are secured together by couplings that preferably are the same in each case. Such couplings include a hollow body with an exterior surface of a size and shape to be inserted within an adjacent hollow tube. A pair of laterally-opposite slots continue longitudinally inward from one end of the body. A lateral spreader is of a size and shape to be located within that one end of the body. A lever has one end portion inserted within the spreader to effect spreading thereof upon lateral deflection of the other end of the lever.

Abstract: A readout system includes a source of illumination that is propagated along a predetermined path. Disposed in that path is a medium, such as a microform which carries a chart recording. An imaging screen is located in a portion of that path beyond the medium, and a projection lens system is adjustable to focus the image upon the screen. Also included is an image storage element disposed in a portion of the path of the illumination beyond the medium. The medium is moved along a given path which results in the sweeping of the image across the screen and also in the presenting of a moving section of the image in a discrete path to the storage element. The storage element in this case is the electrostatic drum of a xerographic copying machine. The length of the path is adjusted by means of interposing first and second reflectors mutually inclined at a reverse angle of forty-five degrees. Adjustment of the distance between those mirrors changes the path length.

Abstract: An opening is formed into the generally flat roof of a vehicle, and a hollow frame matches to the top of that opening. Overlying the frame is a generally flat panel of matching size and shape therewith, with the panel being hingedly secured along one edge to the corresponding portion of the frame. An adjustable connection exists between another portion of the panel and the frame to swing the panel between a first position in which the panel is latched, enclosing the opening, and a second position in which the panel is tilted upwardly away from the roof. At least one or two display devices are in the form of a comparatively shallow box which may lie with a major surface substantially against the upper surface of the panel so as to visually present a shallow profile. The device is hinged at one margin to the panel, and the panel carries a handle operable from within the interior of the vehicle for swinging the device between storage and upright positions.

Abstract: An oral hygiene appliance combination has a housing into which liquid is fed and from which liquid is delivered into the mouth of the user. A pump within the housing is of a solenoid-actuated type and includes a chamber that inlets and outlets the liquid to be applied under the pumping action. A flexible diaphram, which effectively forms part of the chamber, sustains the pumping action. Movement of that diaphram is coupled to movement of the solenoid plunger. At least one solenoid winding is cyclically energized to move the plunger and the diaphram in connection with the pumping action.

Abstract: A device generates pulsed liquid jets through a cumulative nozzle at high repetition rates by using a controlled oscillatory motion of the nozzle assembly coupled with the inertia of the water package and a piston to effectively evacuate the nozzle prior to generation of each jet pulse. The cumulative nozzle can be of any form, such as exponential, hyperbolic, cissoid, etc. Forward motion of the nozzle assembly serves to empty the nozzle of liquid residual therein from the previously generated jet. That forward motion also positions the residual liquid, freshly added liquid and a liquid accelerating piston for the generation of the next subsequent pulse. At the end of the forward motion stroke, the liquid and accelerating piston are rapidly accelerated into the nozzle by means of a high pressure gas.

Abstract: A dental appliance has an elongated hollow tube within the interior of which is mounted for rotation an elongated drive shaft. One end of the tube is coupled to a handle as is the drive shaft which is driven from the handle in rotation. A head joined to the other end of the tube defines an interior cavity within which a hub is mounted for rotation about an axis disposed at an angle with respect to the drive shaft. Motion is translated from the drive shaft to the hub. An opening in the head enables the hub to be accessed through the opening. Included in the hub is a barrel section for securing a variety of dental attachments thereto. A seal is created between the opening from the cavity and the hub in order to prevent fluid flow therethrough. Lubricant is introduced within the tube and the drive shaft actuates an augar or the equivalent for propelling the lubricant into the motion translator.

Abstract: A showerhead includes a hollow housing with front and rear openings and a closure in the front opening which defines first and second groups of flow outlets. The showerhead is secured to a supply pipe by a nut which has a snout to captivate a ball and fix the position of a shank that projects from the ball and around which the housing is rotatable. A flow control device rotationally fixed on the shank enables selection of liquid flow through the ball and shank to selected ones of first and second channels that lead to corresponding first and second groups of flow outlets as the housing is rotated about the shank.

Abstract: An adhesive or sealant is applied to a product by receiving and maintaining the adhesive in liquid form, distributing it to form a film of the material over a predetermined exposed surface area and moving the product relative to the surface area to transfer the material to the product. This is accomplished by use of a housing in which is defined an outwardly opening cavity. A port in the housing admits the liquid material into the cavity. A pad of porous open-cell metal foam covers the opening, with the density of the foam being selected relative to the viscosity parameters of the adhesive to wick or ooze the adhesive from the cavity through the foam and present a film of the adhesive over the outwardly facing surface of the pad. A screen may be disposed over the outwardly facing surface of the pad.