Abstract: A fire retardant coating composition for lignocellulosic materials which comprises expandable graphite particles, a absorbent material, a polymeric binder, a carbonific material, a blowing agent, and a wetting agent. The expandable graphite particles include from about 20 to about 95% by weight of the combined amount of the expandable graphite particles and the absorbent material. The polymeric binder comprises from about 5 to about 50% by weight of the combined amount of the polymeric binder, the expandable graphite particles, and the solid absorbent material.

Abstract: A flame retardant polyolefin composition comprises at least about 25% by weight magnesium hydroxide and, preferably, at least about 30%, at least about 5% by weight melamine and, preferably, at least about 20%, and at least about 0.5% by weight novolac and, preferably at least about 1%.

Abstract: A crab trap is described that is movable between an erect condition and a collapsed condition. The crab trap includes top and bottom panels each with a plurality of edges. A pair of opposing side panels are pivotally and hingedly connected to a corresponding one of the edges of the bottom panel. A pair of opposing end panels are also pivotally and hingedly connected to a corresponding one of the edges of the bottom panel. Each of the panels is comprised of a mesh material. Each of the upper edges of the end panels is releasably secured against a corresponding one of the edges of the top panel. The side panels are pivotally movable between a closed position wherein the side panels extend substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom panels and an open position wherein the side panels extend substantially parallel to the top and bottom panels when the crab trap is in the erect condition.

Abstract: A sliding exercise machine comprises a main frame that has a housing movably mounted thereto along the vertical plane. A support is secured to and is movable with the housing. A board is slidably mounted atop the support and is slidable along the length of the same through manipulation of handles positioned at opposite ends of a cord. Secured to one end of the support is a bottom cross bar. An intermediate cross bar is positioned between the main frame and the bottom cross bar. A pair of spaced cables are secured between the bottom cross bar and the said main frame and extend through the intermediate cross bar. At least one tension band is removably secured to the bottom cross bar and either the board or the intermediate cross bar.

Abstract: A technique is described for liquefying, or gelifying, a hardened, cataractous lens nucleus and aspirating the same. Heat or heated solution is delivered to the lens nucleus in vivo so that the heat or heated solution is placed in contact with the hardened nucleus in order to heat and liquefy the same. The lens nucleus is irrigated simultaneously with a cooled solution to thereby limit to a very small area where the heat or heated solution is present in the eye. This allows the surgeon precise control over which intraocular anterior segment structures are exposed to the heat or heated solution. The liquefied lens nuclear material is then aspirated from the eye. The above allows the removal of a lens nucleus through a 1 to 2 mm corneal or limbal incision which is smaller than the smallest incision allowable with previously known small incision cataract techniques. The above benefits the patient as it allows small incision cataract removal to be done in a way that is non-traumatic to intraocular structures.

Abstract: A water-based, low fat, peanut butter-like product having a pleasing texture and mouth-feel and being shelf stable at room temperatures and a method for producing the same. The peanut butter-like product includes defatted peanut flour, water, a humectant, a soluble salt, a natural gum, at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of corn, malt, rice and potato syrup, a modified food starch, lecithin and conventional peanut butter. The peanut butter-like product has a water activity in the range of 0.80 to 0.85 and has 70 to 95% less fat than conventional peanut butter.

Abstract: A gutter guard for preventing the clogging of a gutter includes a spiral member with first and second ends. The spiral member includes a plurality of turns each of which is substantially equal in size and aligned with one another. The spiral member can be moved from a contracted condition to a significantly longer expanded condition. Attached to the top of the spiral member along the length thereof is a mesh screen. The screen has a generally flat appearance when the spiral member is in its expanded condition. A clip secures each of the ends of the spiral member to a corresponding end wall of the gutter.

Abstract: An adjustable shelving system for use as a shower caddy or the like includes a frame and a plurality of shelves. The frame has a number of spaced apart vertical bars and a number of spaced apart horizontal bars extending across said vertical bars. The shelves each have a back edge and a bracket affixed thereto which can be readily detached from the frame of the shower caddy and placed at a number of different locations on the frame. The bracket has an upper connecting element extending rearwardly from the back of the shelf. The upper connecting element engages a horizontal bar of the frame located behind the back of the shelf. The bracket also includes a lower connecting element extending downwardly from the upper connecting element. The lower connecting element engages the bottom of one of the horizontal bars located below the back edge of the shelf and creates a friction fit.

Abstract: A training device for developing hand-eye coordination in a child. The device includes a housing with front and rear walls, two side walls, an open top end and a bottom end. The housing also has a plurality of openings formed in the front wall of the housing adjacent the bottom end thereof. A plurality of tubes with upper and lower ends are secured in the housing. The lower end of each of the tubes is connected to one of the openings formed in the front wall of the housing. Secured to the top end of the housing is a hollow four walled removable insert. The insert serves to direct an object toward the open top end of the housing so that the object can randomly enter and pass through one of the tubes and out an associated opening in the front wall of the housing.

Abstract: A manual wrench includes a plate-like member having a plurality of substantially equally spaced projections extending around the periphery of the plate-like member. A slot is formed between two projections. A handle can be friction fitted over one of the radially extending projections for increasing the amount of leverage that can be applied to the wrench.

Abstract: The gaming system of the present invention includes one or more slot machines associated with a racing display wherein the racing elements are not racing against each other. Rather, a clock is included and each racing element is racing against the clock, independently of the other racing elements. The racing display may be built directly into the slot machine so that the slot player can easily see the progress of his horse or other racing element. Alternatively, a large racing display may be utilized that displays a plurality of horses or other racing elements but wherein each horse is racing against a different clock rather than against each other. Even further, Win, Place and Show positions are located adjacent the finish line and the slot player whose horse reaches either of these positions is awarded a prize depending on the position reached before the clock has timed out.

Abstract: A device for testing for the presence of lead on a painted surface includes a porous dauber formed from an absorbent sintered plastic. The dauber is preimpregnated with a powdered mixture containing rhodizonate dye which is activated by dipping the dauber in a small quantity of water. After activation, the dauber is rubbed on the surface and is then visually observed for a reaction with lead that may be in the surface. The device also includes an abrasive element that can be used to abrade the painted surface before contacting the same with the dauber.

Abstract: The cove base is made from a relatively thin extruded vinyl and has a height dimension which is substantially greater than the thickness. Although the cove base is used as a top set base and covers imperfections in the outer edges of floor tiles or the like, it has the appearance of a straight base in that it does not include a rounded toe. The cove base is wedge shaped in that it is thinner at the top and gradually thickens toward the bottom while the front surface remains substantially planar. A flexible projection which is a continuation of the front surface extends slightly downwardly and conforms to any high or low spots that may be in the flooring. This projection also defines a space behind the projection and beneath the remaining parts of the cove base which may be used to contain a foam strip or caulking material. The cove base, the foam strip and/or the caulking material may include an antimicrobial agent therein.

Abstract: A picture cap for removably retaining a picture or the like and visually displaying the same. The picture cap includes a head covering portion with a window opening formed therein. The cap has an inside and an outside surface. A picture retaining pocket is secured to the inside surface of the head covering portion. The picture retaining pocket has a bottom end, inner and outer walls extending upwardly from the bottom end and an open top end. The bottom end and the walls provide a space therebetween. The outer wall of the pocket extends around the periphery of the window opening and is comprised of transparent material.

Abstract: There is provided a cushioned seating device to be used in conjunction with a shopping cart of the type including a grill frame having a front wall and a rear wall, an end panel being pivotally secured to the rear wall and a collapsible seat having a horizontal seat member and a back rest. The seating device comprises a central padded portion having a first end and a second end. A padded end panel cover portion extends from the first end of the central padded portion. A padded seat back portion extends from the second end of the central padded portion. The seat back portion has a first section hingedly connected to a second section. A pair of wing members extend from opposing sides of the second section of the seat back portion. The wing members are positioned around the child and are fastened to one another so that the child's torso is firmly secured against the back rest portion of the shopping cart.

Abstract: A remote control caddy for supporting a remote control unit therein includes a front wall, a rear wall, a pair of opposing side walls, a bottom wall and an open top end. The walls define a cavity for receiving the remote control unit through the open top end. Secured to the interior of each of the walls is a liner that protects the remote control units against mechanical shock. The remote control caddy can be releasably secured to the piping on a piece of furniture by way of a pair of clips that are secured to and extend above the top of the rear wall.

Abstract: A container for housing a cylindrical roll of wound material and for facilitating the dispensing of an individual sheet from the roll includes a main body that has a bottom, a front wall, a rear wall, opposing end walls and an open top. The front wall, rear wall, end walls and the bottom define an open space for receiving a cylindrical roll of wound material therein. A lid with an elongated slot formed therethrough is hingedly connected to the rear wall and is adapted to cover the top of the main body. A cover is included that is adapted to cover the lid and the top of the container. The cover is sized to partially frictionally engage the outer surfaces of the front, rear and end walls. The container preferably includes fasteners for securing the bottom of the same to a support structure.

Abstract: A method for cutting sheet material such as corrugated cardboard with a die cutter so as to reduce the amount of paper dust produced. The die cutter of the present invention utilizes a cutting rule having a base section and a cutting section. The cutting rule is characterized by a plurality of serrated teeth extending from the cutting section of the cutting rule. Each tooth terminates in a point and has a beveled side face. Formed between adjacent teeth is a semi-circular notch. The notches extend into the cutting section.

Abstract: A flexible bulk container for the handling and storing of flowable or powdered bulk materials is provided which includes a flexible and collapsible bulk bag component and a disposable liner. The bulk bag component has an encircling side wall, a bottom wall with an opening therethrough and an open top end. A lifting loop is attached to each corner of the bulk bag component near the top end thereof. The disposable liner has a lower wall, a surrounding side wall and an upper wall. A portion of the upper wall of the liner extends laterally beyond the periphery of the surrounding side wall of the liner. The upper wall of the liner has four openings formed therein. Each of the lifting loops passes through a different one of the spaced openings in the upper wall of the liner for removably connecting the same to the bulk bag component.

Abstract: A device for lifting modular furniture comprising a base member, an elongated member pivotally connected to the base member and a furniture engaging portion rotatably mounted to one end of the elongated member. The furniture engaging portion includes a plate having a plurality of teeth extending from one end thereof for mating with slots in the modular furniture.