Abstract: A heat storage food container provided with a thermal storage medium, such as wet sand, which retains the heat of the environment to which it has been subjected. The storage medium is provided between a gas impermeable upper shell and a lower gas impermeable thermal insulative shell. The container is adapted to be placed within microwave ovens and heated to a predetermined temperature. Subsequently, food which is prepared in the same or a different environment from which the food container is subjected is placed on the container and will remain at a suitable serving temperature for a relatively long period of time.

Abstract: The power tongs control system described herein includes a hydraulic load transducer in the tongs snub line, the transducer output controlling a shunt valve between the hydraulic lines leading to and from the tongs drive motor. At a predetermined threshold tongs torque, a switch is actuated by contact with a Bourdon tube connected to the transducer output closure of the switch causing the solenoid actuator to open the shunt valve and thereby halt operation of the tongs. A timer is provided to maintain the tongs in the disabled configuration for a period of time following initial cut off. Also disclosed is an adjustable choke valve in series with the shunt valve so that even following the opening of the shunt valve, substantial torque is maintained upon the pipe by the tongs.

Abstract: A troll line stabilizer disclosed herein includes a pair of triangular wings with a dihedral angle of about 100 degrees therebetween. A towing rod is connected to the wings at a point so as to create a downward force with respect to the direction of motion.

Abstract: The invention provides a denture liner composition for a composite denture based on a phosphonitrilic fluoroelastomer (poly(fluoroalkoxy)phosphazene) curable at atmospheric pressure at temperatures of 100.degree. C. or less, conveniently by immersing the packed denture flask in a water bath at the appropriate temperature. The composition includes filler materials for increasing the hardness of the cured liner, interpenetrating polymers for increasing firmness and bond strength, and cross-linking agents for increasing the tensile strength and bond strength of the cured liner. The composite denture is preferably prepared in a one-step process wherein the liner composition material of a single firmness is cured in situ with the denture base material.

Abstract: A shoe containing a plurality of pairs of transverse ribs provided between the mid-sole and the outer sole. All of the ribs are provided with at least one bowed or convex surface running the length of the rib. When weight is placed upon the sole, each of the ribs initially begins to deflect and then the ribs are compressed. The ribs begin to become compressed when one of each pair of the ribs would intrude upon an adjacent rib of a second pair of ribs.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus capable of observing an object in the path of a liquid stream while a radiation receiving part of the apparatus is positioned in the liquid stream.

Abstract: A tote box with a separate security cover, both components being executed in plastic. The tote box is an upwardly opening rectangular receptacle. The security cover is symmetrical and has locking tabs on opposite ends thereof so that the cover can be snapped into locking engagement with slots defined in the receptacle. The security cover can also be flipped over, or reversed, and positioned atop the receptacle to increase its capacity. Tote boxes can be stacked upon one another with the security cover either locked or seated thereon, and the tote boxes can be nested one within another when the covers are removed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas fuel burner with incorporated ignition and safety systems, wherein the burner body defines a central shaft, co-axial to the distribution chamber, situated under the cap and opening at the lower part of the burner to allow admission of secondary air; radial grooves opening at least locally in the distribution chamber are formed in the upper part of the burner body situated under the cap, the ignition electrode and safety element being placed inside the central shaft under the protective cap.The invention finds an application in burners for use in extra-flat cooking apparatus.

Abstract: A portable acoustical shield and sound enhancing enclosure including vertical lower panel sections connected to each other by removable Velcro.RTM. hinges to form a shield or enclosure of a desired configuration. Upper panel sections are secured to the lower panel sections at any desired angle by removable padded clamps. The acoustical shield and sound enhancing enclosure is located between a musician and his audience for reducing the stage front volume of instruments and for maximizing sound separation and clarity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring automobile body damage are disclosed herein. The method comprises steps of measuring the height and depth of automobile body damages, and measurements so taken are assigned an accident code, which when compared with accident codes for previous accidents, enables one to estimate repair time and part requirements.

Abstract: A self-contained emergency escape device includes a first larger jaw, a second smaller jaw, a bolt mounting the jaws for relative movement, a yoke defined at the upper end of the first jaw, and a take-up spool secured within said yoke. Several brake plugs are secured to the interior edges of the jaws, and complementary cut-outs are defined in the opposing edges of the jaws. A sturdy cable is an integral part of the escape device, and extends through the device in a tortuous path extending over the brake plugs and subsequently being stored, when not in use, on the spool. A sling is secured to the jaws so that the user can not be separated from, or fall away from, the emergency escape device. Also, a fail-safe mechanism prevents the jaws from being forced too far apart. One uses the device by applying manual pressure to the jaws to increase the frictional resistance on the cable and thus controlling the rate of descent.

Abstract: The packing, in particular for transporting and dispatching for example biological products, comprises a case body 1 subdivided into suitably calibrated receiving cavities 2, 3, 4 for receiving containers (for example tubes 7) of the products to be transported, at least a cover 11 capable of being fitted on said case body and so shaped as to cooperate with the latter for immobilizing the containers placed in said cavities, and detachable locking devices for locking said cover on said case body, said locking devices made inaccessible in the course of transportation. Application in the posting of biological or laboratory products which are precious, dangerous, or toxic.

Abstract: It is disclosed that the known treatment of rice in cultivation with propanil to kill weeds without harming the growing rice plant can be modified so as to simultaneously eliminate the incidence of rice blast disease (which usually appears at the same time as weed infestation) by simultaneous treatment of the rice in cultivation with a combination of pentachloronitrobenzene and propanil, both applied from aqueous spray based on an emulsifiable concentrate of the material or materials.

Abstract: Ice hockey practice equipment for improving puck handling skills including a puck-like member having a groove in an upper surface thereof for receiving a hockey stick blade, and a locating member for maintaining the blade in location within the groove with lost motion between the puck-like member and the blade, the equipment thereby permitting constant interaction and feel of the puck-like member and the blade for a trainee.

Abstract: An integrally formed fastener molded of plastic material. Such fastener comprises an enlarged head, a shank, shoulders defined near the upper end of the shank, a pair of flexible wings joined to the lower end of the shank, and a pair of stops defined on the shank to limit the movement of the wings toward the shank. The wings flex inwardly until they contact the stops, and then the wings roll inwardly about the stops as the fastener is pushed through aligned apertures in security boxes, panels, etc. While the plastic material, such as polypropylene, possesses sufficient resiliency to be rolled inwardly, the wings will break and/or the shank may fail when the fastener is forcibly withdrawn from its seated position, thus providing a positive indication of an attempted breach of security.

Abstract: A shield used to prevent an excessive amount of radiation to be absorbed by a patient during a cephalometry procedure. The shield consists of a lead sheet which is supported by a cephalometric head holder. A hole is provided in the shield for cooperation with the cephalometric head holder to insure proper positioning of the shield. Additionally, a brad, staple, screw or the like is used to insure that the head holder remains immobile during the cephalometry procedure.

Abstract: A scraping tool for cleaning well casing bores comprising an elongated support body, at least a pair of opposed sets of scraper blades mounted in slots in the body, an intermediate undercut between the sets of scraper blades, and locking mechanisms disposed in the undercut for retaining the scraper blades in the slots. A unique method for forming and assembling the scraping tool is also disclosed. Such method includes the steps of machining the scraper blades while retaining same on the support body, and turning the support body to develop a compound curve on each blade element.

Abstract: A kit for teaching grammatical aspects of language comprises a plurality of question cards. Each card contains a different sentence of a predetermined number of words, and a plurality of answer cards each of which contains a sentence corresponding to that appearing on one of the question cards, and each of which bears indicia displaying the correct parsing of the sentence at a given level of complexity, there being at least one answer card corresponding to each question card. A plurality of answer forming chips, each being color coded to represent different basic parts of speech or speech functions is provided and at least some of these bear indicia further qualifying the basic parts of speech. At least one answer forming chip support is provided to receive and support, for visual display, sufficient chips to identify and qualify each word, phrase or clause forming each sentence on each question card at a given level of complexity.

Abstract: A solar tracking system having particular utility for insuring that a relatively lightweight solar collector is properly positioned with respect to the sun. A parabolic reflector surface is included to provide a line of focus of the sunlight directed toward a cylindrical energy absorption tube. Photovoltaic cells provided on either side of the energy absorption tube are directed toward the parabolic reflector surface. A reversible motor is electrically connected to the cells and physically connected to the reflector system for correcting any misalignment with respect to the sun. The reversible motor can be used as the sole means for powering the tracking system or can be used in conjunction with an outside power source.

Abstract: Sampling devices for detecting particulate contaminants, particularly radioactive particulate contaminants, in a gaseous medium, such as air. The devices use filters comprising a filter membrane sandwiched between two pieces of plastic material having holes exposing the filter membrane to the gaseous medium. Each filter is moved between a sampling position at which the filter is exposed to the gaseous medium and a measurement position at which the amount of particulate material collected by the filter can be measured. In the measurement position, a gas-tight seal may be formed with the plastic surrounding the filter medium so that the chamber holding the filter may be evacuated for measurement of radioactive particles. The filter may be moved linearly or rotationally. The detector may comprise a detector of radioactive particles.