Abstract: Container neck finishes produced by preforming processes such as injection or compression molding can generally be made to more accurate dimensions than blow molded finishes. Blow molded bottles conventionally have had an outward slanted area below the locking beads which merges into a horizontal shoulder on which the lower edge of the cap skirt rests, the slanted areas preventing the lower portion of the skirt from being compressed or pinched-in. As a substitute for the slanted area of blow molded bottles, the present invention provides annular rings on a preformed finish which supports the skirt against compression and a larger diameter second annular ring which functions as a shoulder on which the lower edge of the cap skirt may rest.

Abstract: A street sweeping machine is incorporated in an industrial vacuum machine. Extending transversely of the vehicle is a center casing in which a brush is rotated by a hydraulic motor. A vacuum intake hose is connected to the casing and leads to the vacuum machine. The casing may be raised and lowered between transport and working positions. On one or both sides of the vehicle are side or "curb sweeping" casings, likewise containing a hydraulically driven brush and connected to a vacuum intake hose. The curb sweeping casing is swivel mounted and spring biased outward to follow the curb on the street being swept. In the main centered casing are a hydraulically raised and lowered flap which improves the vacuum which can be drawn in the casing. Also provided is a stick breaker which breaks up large pieces of debris so that they may be drawn into the vacuum duct.

Abstract: A plastic cap is used on containers, particularly of the type used commercially for five-gallon bottles containing liquids such as drinking water. A bead is formed on the exterior, preferably above the elevation of the horizontal tear line conventionally used in such caps. The bead is preferably flat on the outside surface and wide in a vertical sense. The bead functions to cause the cap to engage the neck of the container more securely. It also functions to retain in place a dust cap which fits over the top of the cap. It further functions as a seal for the type of cap used in certain water dispensers. Such dispensers are used without removing the cap from the container in that the top disk is opened after the container has been installed in the dispenser. The bead seals against the inside of a sleeve incorporated in such a dispenser.

Abstract: A plastic cap for closing the neck of a conventional 5-gallon bottle or similar container is characterized by having an upper external convex bead immediately below the neck lip, a concavity below the upper bead and a lower convex bead. The cap has a top disc and a peripheral depending skirt. The skirt has an upper seal bead to engage the upper neck bead, a tensioning bead to engage the undersurface of the upper seal bead and a lower seal bead to engage the lower convex bead. Below the tensioning bead is a horizontal internal score line. Extending downwardly from the horizontal score line is a second score line curving downwardly and then in a substantially vertical stretch. A tear tab extends down from the bottom edge of the skirt. To open the bottle, the user pulls the tear tab to tear the skirt upward along the second score line, then around the horizontal score line.

Abstract: Industrial vacuum machines such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,913 employ cloth filters in the last stage of separation of fine particles from the air stream. Such filter are cleaned inside the machine by vibration. In accordance with this invention, a baffle is movable between normal and recycling positions. In normal position the discharge of the vacuum impeller is discharged to the atmosphere. In recycling position the impeller discharge is diverted back into the primary separation chamber and then through the filters in order to remove dust and prevent its discharge to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A trailer suitable for hauling farm implements along highways is expandable from a contracted, empty position to an expanded loaded position. In expanded position, the rear support wheels are outside normal highway width limits. The trailer frame has a forward section, supported at its rear with centrally located ground wheels, and a pair of rear sections each supported by an outside wheel. Each rear section has a pair of transverse telescopic beams. One set of vertical hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders lifts the forward central wheels and the rear sections off the ground. A set of transverse cylinders moves the outside wheels to expanded position. Each outer rear beam section has a loading ramp hinged thereto about a transverse axle and a wheel support hinged thereto.

Abstract: To remove binding strips of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,013 from the book or document bound thereby, a debinding machine is used. The machine has a platen on which the spine of the book is supported and a perpendicular back plate against which one face of the book is forced, one binding strip fitting into a gap between the lower edge of the back plate and the platen. Pulling a handle causes a knife blade to enter behind the aforesaid book face and the strip, cutting the studs so that the strip is severed from the book. The other studs may then be pulled out of the holes in the sheets of the book by pulling away the remaining strip.

Abstract: Panels which are assembled to form a stall shower are prefabricated. Each panel has a facing of tile adhered to a plywood backing. On the rear of the backings are elongated vertical ribs. The lower edges of the ribs are notched to interfit with a shower base. The upper edges are notched to interfit with a shower ceiling. The outer edges of the ribs are either attached to studding or are covered with wallboard. The panels comprise four corners, a back, two sides and two door jambs. In addition to the shower base and ceiling, additional members include a shower door curb and a header.

Abstract: Two or more plastic or fabric pastry tubes of the general type used by chefs for decorating pastry with icing or other materials or dispensing pureed vegetables or the like are each provided with separate nozzles which are semi-circular in cross section when two tubes are used and appropriately shaped when more than two are used. The nozzles are held together while the tubes are squeezed, thereby dispensing plural colored ribbons of icing or vegetables in closely adjacent designs. The nozzles may be held assembled by a ring. In one modification, spouts fit in the lower ends of the tubes and project therefrom as semi-cylindrical externally threaded projects held together. A first nut secures the tubes to their respective spouts. A second nut secures a pair of nozzles to their respective spouts. The upper ends of the tubes may be detachably held together by Velcro-like patches. The tubes are preferably of the conventional conical shape and may be disposable or reusable.

Abstract: A worn vehicle tire is formed into a multi-purpose receptacle. A section of the tire is formed by first slicing the tire along the circumferential axis thereof and then making two transverse cuts. The opposed free ends of this piece are joined by metal straps or other fasteners. A bottom, preferably also made of a portion of a vehicle tire, is set into the receptacle.

Abstract: A picture framer's tool of the type used to drive brads into picture frames shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,825 is modified so that it may also be used as a clamp. The tool has two jaws, namely an inner adjustably positioned along a sleeve and a second jaw on the outer end of a rod reciprocable within the sleeve and extending beyond the outer end of said sleeve. The tool has a lever pivoted on a handle which causes the rod to reciprocate. One improvement is the provision of a wing screw or other fastener on the handle which engages the rod so that it is fixed in position. Another improvement is the provision of attachments for each jaw, one of which may be spring-loaded. Attachments include hammer heads, points, swivels and the like.

Abstract: The apparatus and case are used with a core formed of sheets and end sheets covered on their exteriors with pressure sensitive material initially protected by release paper all bound togehter by narrow plastic binding strips along the spine edges of the core. The novel case for such a core has a spine having a strip of material covered by pressure sensitive adhesive of a width substantially greater than the thickness of the core plus twice the width of the binding strips, the same strip preferably being glued or otherwise permanently affixed to the spine of the case and extending outward to the inner edges of Davey board cover stiffeners (if used). The apparatus has right and left horizontal platens movable in and out relative to the center. The case is placed on the platens and centered.

Abstract: A light reflector for specific use in combination with a lighting fixture having one or more elongate light source such as fluorescent lamp is disclosed. It has a plurality of angled planar light reflecting surfaces disposed behind and symmetrically of the light source and includes a central reflecting surface. The light reflector is so dimensioned and substantially configured such that it could readily be assembled and/or fitted about in all existing fixtures. For instance, one or two reflectors could readily fit to two or four-bulb lighting fixtures, respectively.

Abstract: Plural liquid- and gas-tight, large capacity upright cylinders having closed tops and bottoms are positioned connected together resting on the bottom of a body of water. A first cylinder, initially filled with water, is loaded with waste (potentially consisting of various types of trash including solids of different specific gravity, oil and other liquids and entrapped gases created by decomposition). Liquid displaced by the trash is pumped to the next cylinder. A third cylinder may be fabricated on site or transported to the site in time to replace the second cylinder as it is being filled after the first is completed. Displaced gases are accumulated in the tops of the cylinders pipe to a location where they may be filterted or otherwise purified or burned.

Abstract: A drier for wafers or the like has a drier chamber shaped to receive the wafer, which is lowered into the open top of the drier chamber and withdrawn therefrom by a lifter, which may be motor actuated. Below the drier chamber is a heater chamber to vaporize alcohol or other liquid, which rises and condenses on the relatively cool wafer. A water jacket around the top of the drier chamber condenses vapor and thus reduces escape of vapor.

Abstract: A multi-purpose receptacle of the type utilizing discarded pneumatic tire of a motor vehicle is disclosed. This receptacle comprises an annular body defining an upper tread portion, a sidewall converging downwardly from said upper tread portion, a supporting rim terminating at the lower end of said sidewall, a bottom wall secured within the lower end of said sidewall, and jointing means connecting the free ends of said body.

Abstract: The apparatus and case are used with a core formed of sheets and end sheets covered on their exteriors with pressure sensitive material initially protected by release paper all bound together by narrow plastic binding strips along the spine edges of the core. The novel case for such a core has a spine having a strip of material covered by pressure sensitive adhesive of a width substantially greater than the thickness of the core plus twice the width of the binding strips, the same strip preferably being glued or otherwise permanently affixed to the spine of the case and extending outward to the inner edges of Davey board cover stiffeners (if used). The apparatus has right and left horizontal platens movable in and out relative to the center. The case is placed on the platens and centered.

Abstract: An underground branch connector assembly for water feed from a main supply pipe to a sprinkler head which permits a range of locations of the sprinkler head independent of the location of the supply pipe, comprising a flexible hose having an anti-kinking feature and special terminal fittings (preferably both male) for connection at one end to a sprinkler head and at the other end to the water supply pipe. The anti-kink feature comprises either an external corrugated sheath or internal reinforcing, such as fiberglass roving, or a steel or plastic coil embedded in the hose wall. The hose is preferably of predetermined length, selected to be somewhat longer than the reach required from the main supply pipe to the desired sprinkler head location. The preferred assembly also includes a plate adjacent the sprinkler head end that permits stable emplacement of the sprinkler head. The flexible non-kink hose of excess length allows imprecise trenching yet precise head location in a proper watering array.

Abstract: A push on cap for engaging a container neck is formed with inturned thickened flanges on its inner surface which cooperate with matching grooves in the container neck to retain the cap in place when the skirt is intact. A circumferential groove is formed in the skirt intermediate the inturned thickened flanges joined with a second groove extending to the bottom edge of the skirt. A tab projecting beyond the skirt is gripped and pulled causing the skirt to tear upward and then circumferentially thereby removing the lower thickened flange and permitting the top of the cap to be removed and reclosed. A rigid circumferential flange on the exterior of the skirt is spaced above the level of the uppermost inturned thickened flange and below the top of the cap has an angled gusset below the flange to prevent removing the cap by prying upwards with a fingernail prior to removing the tear skirt.