Abstract: A sampling apparatus is characterized by a housing having a bore communicating at one end with the interior of a vessel containing fluidized product. A plunger assembly in the bore has a sample chamber intermediate its ends and is reciprocated to project the sample chamber out of the bore and into the vessel to receive a sample of product therein, and to then retract the sample chamber from the vessel and into the bore to a sample collection point. Forward and rearward seals on the plunger to opposite sides of the sample chamber always maintain a liquid seal between the one end of the bore and the sample collection point. The rearward seal comprises a shear bearing having a circumferential groove that receives and retains fluidized product in sealing relation to the bore to seal the shear beating and thereby the plunger assembly to the bore.

Abstract: An audio playback system for the steering wheel of a child's vehicle is provided. A central housing is provided in the steering wheel, with the housing having an open top. An audio playback module is removably contained in the housing. The playback module includes an open battery compartment. A water fight cover is provided over the open top of the housing.

Abstract: Like-new golf balls are made from used golf balls by first reducing the diameter of the used ball, to provide an intermediate ball, and then molding a new dimpled cover on the ball. The diameter of the used ball is uniformly reduced by compression molding or by grinding.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electromagnetic radiation absorber comprising a filamentary, three-dimensional, porous substrate of dielectric material having a relatively thin layer of electrically conductive material deposited thereupon. The layer is characterized by a generally gradual and continuous reduction in its thickness or bulk with inward progression into the substrate from one side thereof, thus resulting in a layer exhibiting a graduated resistivity. A filler substantially pervious to the radiation of interest may be disposed in the interstitial voids between filaments, and relatively small diameter magnetic/magnetizeable particles may be suspended in the filler to thereby further extend the useful frequency range of the absorber. Also disclosed is a sputtering method for producing such an absorber.

Abstract: A slider assembly useful as a working part on a sailing vessel includes a track and a slider mounted on the track. The slider includes a pair of U-shaped end pieces held in a spaced relationship by side pins and a central pin. Tubular bushings are mounted on the side pins and in sliding engagement with the grooves of the track.

Abstract: A block and tackle system having two different purchases is operated from a single line. The system includes a primary purchase system and a secondary system having a higher purchase than the primary system. The primary and secondary systems are separated by a one-way block, and the secondary system is connected back to a floating block in the primary system. The secondary system is activated upon initial ease of the line from any given position, with the one-way block locking the line in the ease direction.

Abstract: A portable runoff water diverter can be placed in the path of a flow of runoff water to divert at least a portion of the water to a point where it can advantageously be used, for example to irrigate landscaping. The diverter defines at least one channel through which runoff water, that might otherwise flow to a sewer, is redirected. The diverter advantageously is made of a resilient material such as rubber, so that it may be used in an alley or along a curb, where a flow of runoff water occurs in response to rain, without being destroyed should it be run over by a vehicle.

Abstract: A gas/air or bubble separator is disclosed, particularly for use with supplying air/gas or bubble free coating liquid to a paper coater. The separator includes three cast elements containing three formed chambers, a distribution chamber at the top of the device which supplies incoming liquid to a plurality of separators which operate on the vortex principle, a liquid collection chamber for collecting the essentially or substantially air/gas or bubble free liquid at the bottom of the device, and an air/gas bubble collection chamber above the vortex separators for collecting the gas/air or bubble containing liquid. These chambers are of cast construction and made of stainless steel so that no weld need be used. The device has essentially inline flow for the bulk of the liquid from inlet to outlet and clean streamline design with no dead spaces to prevent accumulations, build ups and problems associated with the same.

Abstract: A composition containing reclaimed vulcanized rubber particles and capable of being recycled by melting is disclosed. A thermoplastic substrate is first melted, and an acid or base deflocculant and emulsifier for the rubber particles is added and mixed. The rubber particles are then added and heated with the substrate under high shear forces to redo the size of the particles, cause them to swell, and to emulsify the surface. The acid or base deflocculant is then neutralized to its isoelectric point, with the surfaces of the altered rubber particles in phase with the thermoplastic substrate.

Abstract: A solar control film having low visible light transmittance and low visible light reflectance is comprised of two or more transparent substrates each bearing a thin, transparent, discontinuous, incoherent film of metal having low visible light reflectance and a degree of visible light blocking capacity, the substrates being so assembled and laminated into a composite that the visible light blocking capacities of the metal films are effectively combined to provide a composite having low visible light transmittance. Performance characteristics are enhanced by providing on one or more of the substrates a transparent coating of high refractive index underlying the metal film. The material of high refractive index is preferably a synthetic high oxygen content oxide of bismuth, which facilitates efficient and economical production of the solar control film.

Abstract: Magnetron cathode reactive sputtering of oxides and nitrides of bismuth, tin, gallium, and their alloys is significantly enhanced by melting the metal and reactively sputtering the molten metal, continuously removing from the sputtering surface of the molten metal oxides or nitrides formed on the sputtering surface, and moving the oxides or nitrides to an area or place outside of or removed from the sputtering plasma zone. The metal sputtering surface is thereby maintained in a clean condition to reduce the potential for arcing and to substantially increase the rate of sputtering of the metal. Sputter deposition rates and the speed of production of compound coated substrates are thereby increased several fold.

Abstract: Infrared (IR) reflective radio frequency (RF) transparent coating materials are comprised of coated microspheres dispersed as discrete pigment particles in an IR and RF transparent film forming binder. Each microsphere is comprised of a dielectric core, a layer of IR reflective RF conductive material on the core, and an IR and RF transparent layer of insulating material coated over and encapsulating the reflective layer. The insulating layer prohibits transmission of currents between the conductive layers and the spheres are of sufficiently small size in relation to RF wavelengths as to permit passage of RF energy through the coating. The coated microspheres are visually colored, and being spherical, provide on a coated object a film or coating that is visually colored and highly diffuse, as well as being IR reflective and RF transparent.

Abstract: Electron beam radiation of resin blends and compounds comprises in major part by weight of cellulose acetate accelerates the rate and increases the degree of biodegradation of the compounds and products made therefrom, and renders the same fully compostable, without sacrifice of physical properties.

Abstract: An ankle brace to be fitted about the lower leg and ankle of a wearer for inhibiting inversion and eversion of the ankle while accommodating plantar flexion and dorsiflexion is characterized by a rigidifying and unitizing external shell comprising a unitary member made of a rigid material and including a leg encircling portion at least substantially encircling the lower leg of the wearer and ankle stays extending downwardly from the leg encircling portion over the ankle and down to the heel on both the medial and lateral sides of the leg, the leg encircling portion accommodating flexing of the sides of the shell about a vertical axis intermediate the ankle stays for movement of the sides and the stays horizontally into supporting engagement with the medial and lateral sides of the leg and ankle, the shell preventing undesired movement of the ankle stays relative to one another.

Abstract: A multi-station apparatus and method of manufacture allows the manufacture of an article having a fluid filled cavity fabricated from simultaneously fed twin thermoplastic webs. A web transport means simultaneously feeds twin thermoplastic webs into an apparatus, where a oven raises the temperature of the material of the webs for thermoforming and molding. The cavity then is partially fusing to provide an injection and outlet port and a fluid is injected into the cavity, which is then sealed to provide a finished article. The fluid can be formed from a super absorbent material as a thick, viscous gel-like colloidal substance.

Abstract: It is the object of the present invention to provide a condom application strip attaching system capable of automatically attaching a condom application strip having a slit adapted to accept a semen-storing receptacle within a condom. A mandrel to be covered with a condom is vertically attached on the outer margin of a rotating turntable which is indexed to stop at predetermined positions for predetermined times. A manipulating arm support is arranged inside the turntable corresponding to the mandrel. A first condom unrolling device, a second condom unrolling device, a condom application strip manufacturing device, a pressing device, a pair of flat spatulas, a first condom rolling device, a second condom rolling device, and a condom removing device are arranged in sequence outside and along the turntable to effect the entwining of a condom application strip within a condom.