Abstract: A forced flow viscosity measuring apparatus includes within a housing (13), a thermostatic air chamber (11), a measurement capillary (38) and a needle (60) in fluid communication with the capillary each contained in the chamber, and a variable speed drive mechanism (14) which dries such needle into the liquid at a speed that maintains the pressure differential constant across the length of same measurement capillary to which is attached a pressure measuring device (30) and the needle (60), and a control circuit (50). The control circuit (50) computes viscosity as a function of sensed needle (60) velocity, sensed constant pressure differential and the parameters of the capillary.

Abstract: A multiple surgical suturing apparatus (10) is provided having a fastener member (11) and a retainer member (12). The fastener member has a series of prongs (14) removably mounted to the tubular head by a locking pin (15). Each prong has a recess 29 upon which is mounted suturing tie L joined to each other by an elongated suture S. The prongs and ties are passed through tissue to be stitched and tied off to form a series of stitches.

Abstract: Protective finishing compositions and methods of manufacturing such compositions for finishing carpet products with a stainblocker and fluorocarbon-based repellant in a one-step process, include first adding a naphthalene sulfonated salt to either a stainblocker or a fluorocarbon-based repellant and then adding the combination to the chemical not originally mixed with the naphthalene sulfonated salt.

Abstract: A wet diaper detector comprises an elongated strip of material sized to be positioned in a diaper with a portion of the strip residing in a region of the diaper subject to wetness and an end of the strip protruding from the diaper at the upper rear or front portion thereof. The strip carries a pair of spaced conductors that extend along the length of the strip and terminate at the protruding end thereof. A detector and alarm assembly is adapted to be releasably coupled to the protruding end of the elongated strip and is configured to monitor the electrical resistance between the spaced conductors of the strip. When the diaper is wet by its wearer, the resistance between the spaced conductors of the strips falls below a pre-established value whereupon the detector activates the alarm to alert an attendant to change the diaper. In one embodiment, wetness is detected capacitively.

Abstract: A mount for use in an automobile to support a camera for recording images during operation of the automobile. The camera mount comprises an elongate member extending between and rigidly connected to the headrest supports in the seat of the car. A camera mounts to a pivotable support connected to the member with bolts extending through an elongate slot, whereby the camera is selectively positioned along the member. The elongate member connects to the headrest supports with j-bolts that are received through a pair of second slots in the elongate member. The j-bolts extend around the headrest supports and a nut threaded on the j-bolt secures the member to the headrest supports. An alternate embodiment is disclosed for vehicles which do not have separate headrest supports. A method of mounting a camera in an automobile is disclosed.

Abstract: A hinged-corners unitary collapsible wood cleated crate for packaging heavy goods with a tubular body engaged to a base and top frame. The tubular body is formed of a pair of opposing side frames and a pair of opposing end frames, which frames each have a pair of horizontal rails connected to a pair of vertical side slats at respective overlapping aligned distal ends. Each frame includes at least one diagonal cross-member extending between and attached to the pair of horizontal rails. The side frames and the end frames join together in alternating spaced-apart sequence by a plurality of hinge plates that interconnect one of the pair of vertical slats in one of the side frames with one of the pair of vertical slats in an adjacent end frame. The hinge plates are planar sheets of a weather-resistant material, which are scored to allow the tubular body to knock-down for storage and shipping, and unfold to form a volumed body for packaging heavy goods held on a base.

Abstract: An entrance-deterring cap for manhole openings in which an annular pan has an annular flange extending laterally from a skirt for supporting the pan on an upper edge of a frame in a manhole opening. A support member comprises an elongate bar disposed outwardly of the pan with a pair of plates rigidly attached at distal ends of the bar. A threaded stud is attached to the elongate bar for insertion through an opening in the bottom of the pan whereby the plates of the bar are exposed outwardly of the skirt with the distal ends of the plates near the flange of the pan. An elongate flexible strand attached to the threaded stud extends through an opening in the pan for coupling the bar with the pan. The pan is supported by the flange on an upper surface of the frame in a manhole opening and the elongate bar is suspended by the flexible strand below the pan in a throat of the manhole opening. The strand is pulled in order to move the threaded stud through the opening in the pan.

Abstract: A light-transmissive trim plate and mounting apparatus for being received in a recessed lighting fixture installed in a space over a ceiling, in which a light bulb, being operated for light, communicates light through the trim plate for providing an ornamental illuminative effect around a perimeter of the opening for the recessed lighting fixture. The trim plate comprises a translucent light-transmissive trim ring defined by a cup having a first open end and a second open end with a flange extending laterally around the first end. The trim ring defines a perimeter ring conforming in shape to an opening of a recessed lighting fixture. A support engages the trim ring in the recessed lighting fixture. The trim ring covers a gap between the recessed lighting fixture and the ceiling while providing an ornamental illuminative appearance during operation of the light bulb.

Abstract: A water gun (10) is provided having a storage tank (18), a pressure tank (19), a pump (32) for conveying liquid from the storage tank to the pressure tank, and a control valve (39) which determines whether water or air is to be drawn by the pump and deposited within the pressure tank. The pressurized liquid is released through a nozzle (21) coupled to the pressure tank by actuation of a trigger (17).

Abstract: A segmented residential front loading refuse collection vehicle for collecting recyclable waste materials includes a frame and bed pivotally mounted on the frame, the bed having a front, a rear, a top, and a bottom. A fixed wall extends vertically from the bed bottom toward the bed top and extends longitudinally from the bed rear toward the bed front. A movable wall cooperates with the fixed wall for dividing the bed into side-by-side compartments. A single compactor blade is positioned partially within each of the side-by-side compartments for compacting the compartments in tandem.

Abstract: A consumer feedback apparatus for collecting, analyzing, and reporting information on goods and services offered for sale to consumers by providers, comprising a recording station selectively operable by consumers for recording oral comments regarding goods and services offered by the providers. The oral comments and associated time signals are communicated to an analyzer for creating discrete normalized representations including comment category, at least one descriptor, at least one dimension, and an attitude, representative of each oral comment. Normalized comments are then selected according to the comment category, descriptor, dimension, attitude, and time signal, and analyzed for reporting to the provider for use in responding to perceptions of consumers as to the services and goods offered by the store to consumers. A method of collecting, analyzing, and reporting consumer feedback comments on goods and services offered for sale to consumers by retailers is disclosed.

Abstract: A paint spray booth (10) has a spray chamber (11), an air make-up unit (15), and an air exhaust system with an exhaust air fan (26) and an exhaust damper (25). The booth has a pressure transducer (29) that senses the pressure of air both inside and outside the booth and which transmits control signals indicative of sensed changes in the differential air pressure to motors that drive the exhaust fan or the exhaust damper. In this manner the exhaust air flow rate is adjusted to compensate for changes in the differential air pressure.

Abstract: A front loading refuse collection vehicle 10 is provided having a body 12 which includes a hopper 16, a storage container 17, and a tailgate 20. A pair of hydraulic cylinders 23 are mounted to the tailgate for pivotal movement thereof. A compaction blade 24 is mounted within storage container 17 for movement by a hydraulic cylinder 25. The vehicle also has a dumping system 45 for automated actuation of the compaction blade hydraulic cylinder 25 and the tailgate hydraulic cylinders 23. The dumping system includes a central multi-processor 46 coupled to receive electronic signals from an auto-eject actuation button 47, a tailgate enable switch 48, a latch sensor 50, a tailgate open sensor 51 and a compaction blade sensor 52. The central multiprocessor is coupled to output electronic signals to a hydraulic control valve 57 for the tailgate hydraulic cylinders and a hydraulic control valve 58 for the compaction blade hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: A perineal surgical apron (10) for use in obstetrics and surgical procedures which apron comprises a fluid impermeable drape (11) having adhesive strips (15) and (15') at distal ends, and ties (17) for attaching the drape to a covering over a patient and to garb worn by the doctor and thereby defining a surgical surface between the doctor and the patient. An absorbent pad (24) centrally attached to the drape absorbs fluid from the surgical instruments used during surgical procedures. Side pockets (20) on the drape capture surgical instruments which are dropped or fall from the grasp of the doctor. Additional pockets (26) and (28) attached to the drape hold instruments for use during surgical procedures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cleated crate for packaging, storing, and shipping heavy articles. The cleated crate includes a base frame for supporting an article to be packed, a pair of wing-end frames that define ends and side portions of the cleated crate. The wing-end frames comprise a pair of hinge corners each having a pair of spaced apart cleats attached to a fibreboard plate with a score along an axis. The fibreboard plate folds on the score to define a corner post of the cleated crate. A portion of the side of the cleated crate is defined by a side member and a support member attached to one of the pairs of cleats on the fibreboard plate. Elongate members connect two hinge corners together to define a wing-end frame. A pair of wing-end frames are positioned and attached to opposite ends of a base frame or pallet. Intermediate connectors rigidly connect on opposite sides to aligned hinge corners at the opposite ends of the cleated container.