Abstract: A dental flossing holder and applicator is disclosed which is held in the user's hand and anchors one end of the floss, the free end of the floss being held and manipulated by the user's other hand.

Abstract: A circuit fuse assembly comprising a plurality of fuse elements which are simultaneously formed using printed circuit or through hole plating techniques and including means for easily substituting a different one of the plural fuse elements when the in-circuit fuse element burns out due to an overload current condition. In the preferred embodiment, the fuse assembly is (a) integrally formed with the printed circuit of the fused electrical apparatus and (b) formed with a common electrical connection such that a single electrical bridge of solder or other means enables substitution of a replacement fuse element. Other embodiments of the present invention provide a restorable printed circuit fuse for use in standard fuse holders, in-line plug connectors, conventional three prong plug connectors, edison bases, and plug-in triple outlets.

Abstract: An energy efficient process is disclosed for the continuous production of semiconductor matrices formed from electrodepositing doped silicon or germanium films on metallic sheet substrates. The energy released from such electrodeposition can then be used to regenerate the anode material used in the electrodepositing position.

Abstract: Data stored in an electronic memory is accessed by search electronics which permit identification and access to a selected memory location in response to a serial search character input. As each search character is input to the system, a search is made through the memory file to determine whether one or more stored data words within the memory include, at any location within the data word, a series of characters in the exact sequence of the previously input search characters. If plural stored data words include the search character sequence, the search character input process is continued until only one storage location within the memory includes the exact character sequence which has been input. The matching data word from memory is then accessed.

Abstract: The Habbal reaction as a simple spectrophotometric method for the determination of urinary vanilmandelic acid (VMA) is presented. The Habbal reaction is based on the diazo reaction, the specificity of which is maximally increased by citrate buffer extraction of urinary phenolic acids and ethyl acetate extraction of the diazo derivative. The excellent specificity of the general reaction is proved by interference studies, specific destruction of VMA and chromatography. However, the diazo derivative of VMA is unstable in organic solvent ethyl acetate and, according to the Habbel reaction, is stabilized by dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) to give a stable blue chromophore absorbing maximally at 600 nm. The method is quick (20 minutes), exhibits excellent sensitivity, linearity and correlation with the highly specific method of bidirectional paper chromatography.

Abstract: The individual strips of a plastic strip door hang by clips having a downwardly facing U-shaped portion which snap within an upwardly facing U-shaped portion on a support member so that strips may be easily installed and replaced.

Abstract: A wooden truss structure comprises upper and lower chords, each of which is grooved on the side facing the opposite chord. A web member formed of sheet material, such as plywood, interconnects the chords and fits within the chord grooves. At the web/groove interface, the webs are scalloped to provide alternating alignment guide areas and glue vent areas which extend above the interface and allow the escape of excess glue from the groove. The scalloping, in addition to venting the glue line, forms individual, pressurized glue pockets which assure even glue distribution. The scalloping is preferably provided by pressing the wood web material to compress it at the glue vent areas and thus permit the web member, due to its memory, to expand after contact with the glue. This expansion pressurizes the glue pockets and forces glue from the joint area into the wood further enhancing the expansion process. The web is rigidly bonded to the chord members, all while being aligned by the alignment guide portion.

Abstract: A continuous abrading belt means and method for manufacturing an improved mowing machine of the type which includes a bed knife, a cylindrical rotary knife which, in turn, comprises a plurality of generally elliptical discs mounted parallel to each other on a shaft, and means for rotating the cylindrical knife construction in peripheral contact with the bed knife is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the heating of a fluid stream flowing in the pores of a body of specially prepared porous reticulated vitreous carbon which does not crack or substantially change in electrical resistance with time when heated to elevated temperature in air is described. The body is composed of electrically conductive rigid, interconnected and multidirectional continuous strands of vitreous carbon forming a rigid porous, three dimensional skeletal structure. The body as an electrical resistance element has current conductive paths between at least two regions; is shaped to provide particular cross-sections along the conductive paths; and has electrical connector means attached at the regions of the body so that current can be distributed through the body. The electrical resistance element is particularly useful as a heating element for air flowing through the pores in electrically powered room space heaters, hair dryers, hand dryers and the like and can also function as a self-cooling resistor.

Abstract: A tabular iceberg is used as an energy source for a propulsion system which propels the iceberg across vast distances of the ocean with minimal fuel consumption. The iceberg thus becomes, in effect, a self-propelled vessel in which potential energy associated with the iceberg is converted to kinetic energy to power the propulsion system. Two propulsion mechanisms can be used, preferably in conjunction. The first mechanism uses the gravity flow of melting ice to provide propulsive thrust, while the second mechanism utilizes the temperature differential between the iceberg and the surrounding water to power a heat cycle engine, which, in turn, drives a generator to provide electricity which runs propeller drive motors.

Abstract: An underground vault formed of two housing sections, each section having an open end bordered by an outwardly projecting annular flange, the flanges being of like diameter to permit their mutual abutment when the two sections are placed together to form an enclosure, each flange having a plurality of circumferentially located, equally spaced hooks and slot configurations to lock the sections together when the sections are positioned so that alternating hooks and slots of one section are aligned with slots and hooks of the other section is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for forming a liquid-tight container having a rectangular cross-section formed from a one-piece, T-shaped blank of paperboard material. The carton preferably includes an access flap and straw element on one side thereof which, when manually lifted, exposes an end of the straw element from which the contents of the carton may be consumed by a user. The apparatus is compact in nature, possessing relatively few transport mechanisms which advance the T-shaped carton blank through a plurality of work stations. A novel method and apparatus for serially applying the straw element and access panel to the carton blank is disclosed, wherein the straw element and a length of polyethylene coated Mylar tape is automatically bonded to the carton blank upon a rotating heat sealing and alignment drum.

Abstract: A water or snow planing board, such as a surfboard, ski or toboggan, formed of two sheets of polymeric resin, which may be glass fiber reenforced, bonded together in co-mating peripheral lip portions to form a flat joining flange extending laterally outwardly around the periphery of the planing board, the bottom of the flange being co-planar laterally with the bottom of the planing board, and means for selectively controlling the buoyancy and weight of the planing board by admitting or expelling liquid therefrom is disclosed.

Abstract: A skating shoe including a rigid structural member embedded within the sole of the shoe which permits the selective mounting of one or more wheel truck assemblies throughout the length of the shoe. The embedded beam design provides a rigid soled skate shoe having a low center of gravity which increases skating maneuverability and facilitates the use of a single mount truck and wheel assembly hanger. A plurality of attachments are additionally provided which allow the shoe to be utilized in ice skating, mountain climbing, and skiing applications.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for repeatedly unloading uncooked sausages from a support table by a reciprocating pusher. The pusher is lifted on its return by a spring attached to the pusher, which applies a varying upward force due to its cooperation with a stationary support element adjacent the free end of the spring.

Abstract: A novel contact lens having improved gas permeability is disclosed which is formed from copolymerizing a mixture comprising:(a) a group 1 monomer which is a styrene or substituted styrene monomer, and(b) a group 2 monomer which is a monomer of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, and R' is an alkyl, or a monomer of the general formula: ##STR2## wherein n is 0 or 1, R is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl and R" is hydrogen when n is 0 and hydrogen or hydroxyl when n is 1.