Abstract: A method of cutting pattern pieces from a continuous roll of material comprising the steps of unrolling said material unto a rotating cylindrical cutting surface, and then cutting said material while said material is in rolling contact on said cylindrical surface during rotation of said cylindrical surface. Furthermore this invention describes a method and apparatus for producing vinyl pool covers.

Abstract: A lift for watercraft has raised and lowered positions and is adapted to be mounted in a body of water. The lift has a substantially rectangular base with first and second pairs of vertical corner posts that are connected to and carry longitudinal beams. The base further has two transverse beams connected to the longitudinal beams. A pivoting cradle is attached to the base. Watercraft support bunk are connected to the cradle. A pair of actuators is connected on one end to the pivoting cradle and on the other end to one of the first pair of corner post. The first pair of corner posts is adapted to be long enough that at least a portion of the corner posts is above a water level of a body of water in which the lift is mounted, and the actuators are connected to the first pair of corner posts in the portion of the corner posts above the water level.

Abstract: The manway cover has a groove into which a gasket is adapted to be mounted. The groove has an inside diameter. The gasket has an annular metal insert having a top surface and bottom surface, and an inside edge and an outside edge and corresponding inside and outside diameters. A polymer strip is wrapped around and substantially covers the top and bottom surfaces of the metal insert. The polymer strip further has an overlap portion where the polymer strip is folded over and attached to itself, this overlap defining an inside diameter and/or outside diameter of the gasket. The inside diameter of the metal insert is no less than substantially the same as the inside diameter of the manway cover groove. The inside diameter of the gasket is less than the inside diameter of the metal insert.

Abstract: A sealed blister assembly is made up of a plastic sheet and a plastic lid. The plastic sheet and plastic lid are joined together to form a impermeable seal. The seal is formed by engagement of an undercut in the plastic sheet and a shoulder in the plastic lid. A plastic sheet and/or plastic lid are made from a polymer such as low density polyethylene to obtain the impermeable seal.

Abstract: A brace is adapted to be wrapped around the wrist and hand of a patient. The brace includes a flexible sheet that comprises a central palmar section, a first flap section connected to and disposed on one side of the palmar section, and second flap section connected to and disposed on the opposite side of the palmar section from the first flap. Fasteners are attached to each of the first and second flap sections. Written indicia are printed onto one of the first or second flap sections, wherein the written indicia correspond to predetermined brace sizes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to alternatively using magnetic or electric field devices to enhance combustion. More particularly, the present invention relates to alternatively using magnetic or electric field devices to enhance combustion and treat the corresponding products of combustion to increase fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust pollutants.

Abstract: An improved medication organizing system for allowing patients to rapidly and easily prepare hermetically sealed dosage packages to set up their medication regime for a week, month, or longer period of time. The device includes seven hoppers to allow the patient to prepare a set of hermetically sealed medication packages for a given time for each day of the week. After being filled, each package in the set of seven packages is hermetically sealed simultaneously by simply loading the set into a sealing unit and pulling a lever. Sealing of the packages does not require manual manipulation of the individual packages by the user, such as would be required for medication organizers utilizing individual packages with zip-lock seals. The medication organizing system allows patients who lack manual dexterity, such as elderly patients, to easily prepare medication dosages for an extended period of time.

Abstract: Accuflate measures the temperature and pressure of a tire and by processing this information through an Allen Bradley Micrologix and comparing this information to the ambient air temperature and the recommended inflation pressure allows the operator to inflate the tire to a SET-POINT PRESSURE so that when the tire has cooled it will be at the recommended operating level. This “HOT-TIRE INFLATION” allows the operator the opportunity to accurately inflate tires during an operational day when the opportunity to inflate cold is not available.

Abstract: A security system for monitoring a product includes a sensor coupled to the product that is further coupled to a splitter box. The splitter box includes a first shift register for storing data that indicates whether the product is coupled to the sensor. A main controller unit coupled to the splitter box causes the splitter box to transmit the data and then causes the data to be stored in a table. After storing the data, the data is transmitted to a second shift register disposed in the splitter box. A logic circuit disposed in the splitter box compares the data stored in the second shift register to a signal indicating whether the product is still coupled to the sensor and generates an alarm signal if the product is no longer coupled to the sensor. The alarm signal is subsequently transmitted to the main controller unit which responds to the signal by sounding a horn.

Abstract: A reduced area gasket has a sealing ring around the inside perimeter of the gasket. Remaining portions of the gasket are removed or compressed so that the bolt load is focused on the sealing area when the flange is tightened. In this way, the lower bolt loads mandated by plastic piping may be met, and the required sealing may be further obtained.

Abstract: A muffler is incorporated into an electric motor housing to increase air flow across the motor and to reduce noise escaping from the housing. The muffler includes a cone adapted to be mounted adjacent the exhaust side of the motor fan. The muffler further includes an exhaust passageway comprising at least 270° in turns before final exhaustion.

Abstract: A method of an extruded membrane of solidified flowable material having a desired curvature comprising extruding flowable material through a die in a curved section; measuring a characteristic of said extruded material at a plurality of positions along said die slot; comparing said plurality of measurements against a desired plurality of measurements respectively at each said position along said die slot and generating a plurality of signals respectively in response thereto; effecting a change in said measured characteristics of said extruded material at said positions along said die slot in response to said signals so as to produce said extruded material having a desired curvature.

Abstract: A foam insert is adapted for use in combination with a pressure vessel. The cylinder is made of an open cell foam and is sized to fit within the pressure vessel. The cylinder has a top portion and a bottom portion that correspond to a top and bottom of the pressure vessel. The top portion of the foam cylinder has a concave recess.

Abstract: A coffee maker heater/warmer plate assembly includes a spring wire clamp that retains the flow-through heater centered against the bottom of the warmer plate. The spring clamp has ends that are attached to a support ring. The clamp engages a flow-through heater and biases it against the bottom of a warmer plate that is retained by the support ring.

Abstract: An electronic activity monitor for monitoring the performance of an activity such as an exercise comprises an activity detector responsive to motion associated with the performance of the activity to output a corresponding signal, a processor for receiving the signal and determining a starting address at which a block of corresponding sound data is stored, a memory for storing sound data corresponding to a plurality of values associated with the monitored activity, the sound data preferably comprising data representing a voice representation of the values, and a speech generator for generating a naturally-sounding human voice or reproducing a pre-stored version of an actual human voice or other audible indicia in accordance with the sound data stored in the memory. The speech generator is controlled by the processor in response to the activity detector to provide a verbal representation of the user's performance of the activity.

Abstract: A shielding enclosure, for example an appliance sound enclosure comprises a base, a front shield and a top shield. The base is fixed onto a surface and has a back wall and pair of sidewalls connected to the back wall. The front shield is adapted to be rotatably mounted onto the base and is slidingly connected to the top shield by a pin-in-slot connection. The top shield is adapted to be rotatably mounted onto the base and is slidingly connected to the front shield by a pin-in-slot connection. The front and top shields have arcuate panels that, in combination with the rotation around the base, provide for an enclosure around an appliance.

Abstract: A hot beverage maker has a stand, fresh water chamber, a brewed beverage tank, and an actuator means for dispensing brewed beverages. The tank includes a filter basket, a reservoir portion, and an outlet port. The reservoir portion is adapted to hold a brewed liquid, and the outlet port is positioned in substantially the bottom of the reservoir portion. The dispenser actuator means is connected to the outlet port and is biased to a closed position, but may be moved to an open position by a vessel for holding a hot beverage.

Abstract: A cutter for use in a blender includes a central hub portion defining a horizontal plane. First and second pairs of blades extend outwardly from the hub portion. The first pair of blades is oriented on opposite sides of the hub portion and the blades lie in substantially the same horizontal plane as the hub portion. The second pair of blades is oriented on opposite sides of the hub portion and the blades extend upwardly from the horizontal plane of the hub portion, and further wherein the angles of upward extension of each of the second pair of blades is asymmetric. Further, each blade of the first set of blades has a cutting edge and trailing edge, and each blade of the first set of blades is pitched so that there is a downward slope from the cutting edge to the trailing edge.