Abstract: A system for drying microelectronic, optical and other parts which are rendered wet in the course of their processing, the system functioning rapidly to dry these parts so that they are free of contaminants. The system includes a drying chamber having a work zone in which the wet parts are held in a removable carrier resting on a stand, the work zone being heated to promote evaporation. Flowing through the work zone and passing over the wet parts is a gaseous stream which entrains vapors emitted from the parts and discharges the vapors from the chamber. To accelerate the evaporative process, a vibration generator is operatively coupled to the stand or to a vibration coupling device to impart vibrations thereto which are transmitted to the wet parts in the carrier, causing liquid drops on the surfaces of the parts to fractionate into droplets or to otherwise disperse and spread the liquid over a larger area, thereby greatly increasing the aggregate exposed surface area of the liquid.

Abstract: A detecting system capable of simultaneously detecting radioactive emissions from a multiplicity of samples uses a sample holder containing a multiplicity of receiving zones and a multiplicity of drift chambers corresponding respectively to each receiving zone and also having one or more apertures. An array of cathodes is disposed transversely to an array of anodes and the crossing points corresponds to the apertures. There is also a structure that eliminates cross talk between the chambers. This structure is arranged so that a potential difference can be applied across the sample holder which in turn creates a field within the drift chambers in order to improve the detection gain of the detector head assembly.

Abstract: A package for a compact disc having a sound or video recording (CD or VCD) on one face thereof, the unrecorded face of the disc having printed thereon a picture of a character, such as a figure of historical political or military importance. The recording on the disk is a story of other instructive matter related to the illustrated character, so that when the disc is played, a story or information relating to the character is visually or aurally presented. The disc is stored in a circular well formed in a rectangular card having printed thereon the identity of the pictured character and other identifying data relating thereto. The disc-loaded card is inserted in a transparent plastic sleeve having matching dimensions to provide a card-like package which may be manipulated in play activity as well as stored or displayed. To play the disc in an optical player, the card is removed from the sleeve and the disc withdrawn from the card.

Abstract: A woman's shirt that is normally of hip length and is convertible into a shirt of waist length that in a first wearing mode has an underlying halter integral therewith, and in a second wearing mode an overlying halter. The shirt front is defined by left and right panels that can be buttoned together or left open, the back being of greater length to form a rear section that extends below the front. Extending across and normally covering the rear section is a fabric band whose ends are sewn to corresponding ends of the rear section and whose upper margin is joined by releasable fasteners to the lower margin of the left and right panels, the lower margin of the band being free. Complementary components of a connector are attached to the lower left and right corners of the band. To convert the shirt to the first wearing mode, the wearer releases the band from the panels, and then raises the band under the panels and over her head, thereby causing the band to yoke the neck of the wearer and to cover her bust.

Abstract: A hand-held hollow toy implement such as a toy baseball bat, adapted to store as well as to strike a play ball. To manufacture this implement, it is molded from a single piece of light-weight material to define a hollow shank section having a cavity therein, the shank section being provided with a handle at its lower end and a neck at its upper end functioning as one element of a two-element coupler, and a head section whose configuration is dictated by the end use of the implement, the head section being provided at its lower end with the complementary second element of the coupler. In the manufactured piece, the upper end of the shank section is joined by a collar integral therewith to the lower end of the head section. The manufactured piece is converted into the toy implement by cutting off the collar to separate the head section from the shank section, thereby exposing the cavity and making it possible to intercouple the sections.

Abstract: An air-gas controller unit to supply a gas-fired burner with a combustible air-gas mixture, the unit serving to modulate the volumetric flow rate of the mixture without, however, altering the ratio of air to gas which is pre-set for optimum combustion efficiency. The unit includes a valve body whose cylindrical cavity accommodates a hollow cylinder functioning as a mixing chamber, one end of which is open to discharge the air-gas mixture into a mixture outlet in the valve body. The cylinder is turnable within the cavity from a maximum to a minimum valve setting by a rotary control element attached to its other end. Formed in the cylinder is an air orifice which at maximum setting lies in full registration with a gas inlet in the valve body. Also formed in the cylinder is a gas orifice which at maximum setting lies in full registration with a gas inlet in the valve body. The relative portions of the orifices are such as to afford a desired ratio between the air and gas fed into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A roof flashing unit which is attachable to a parapet or other upstanding wall at its intersection with a roof to ensure a tight, waterproof roof construction. The unit includes a rectangular sheet of bendable metal having a transverse Z-shaped bend therein to define an upper or counter section which is secured to the wall and a larger base section. The diagonal of the Z bend forms with the counter section are open-ended channel, and it forms with the base section an open-ended pocket. Wedged into the pocket is the upper edge of a flexible waterproof membrane which overlies the base section.

Abstract: A gluten-based food product derived from wheat, fortified with L-lysine and flavored to provide a food that is not only a complete protein source high in fiber and low in fat and cholesterol, but one which is exceptionally palatable. To make this product, a protein-rich mass of gluten is extracted from wheat flour. Kneaded, cut, punched or otherwise introduced into the mass is L-lysine powder in an amount sufficient to form in combination with the gluten a complete protein. The l-lysine is intermixed with a seasoning powder which acts as a carrier to distribute the L-lysine throughout the mass and thereby provide a fortified and flavored mass which is then divided into food units.

Abstract: A storage and display device for a group of generally rectangular cassettes that vary somewhat in their sizes, each housing a coin whose head and tail are visible through opposite sides of the cassette. The device includes a board having elongated parallel wells formed therein dimensioned to accommodate the group of cassettes in side-by-side relation. A transparent backing behind the board defines the base of the wells, the coin tails being visible therethrough. Also provided are transparent film windows which resectively overlie the wells and are slidable along the board from an open position in which the wells may be loaded with cassettes to a closed position in which the cassettes are entrapped within the wells and the heads of the coins are then visible through the windows.

Abstract: A window guard screen and frame assembly installable on the jamb of a building window to prevent unauthorized access thereto. The screen is fabricated of a metal sheet whose margins are folded in to define channel-like end and side branches bordering a planar field perforated to admit light and air. The frame is dimensioned to overlie or nest within the window jamb and is secured thereto. Integral with the inner surface of the frame and bordering the opening therein is a slideway socket for receiving the screen, the socket being defined by end and side legs which complement the branches of the screen.

Abstract: A refuse container assembly that includes an erectable, open-ended cylinder formed from a rectangular board of flexible, synthetic plastic material that is rollable into a cylindrical form and is provided with detachable locking means to maintain this form. Lining the cylinder and enclosing its bottom end is a collapsible plastic trash bag whose length is somewhat greater than that of the cylinder to define an upper margin that is folded over the rim of the cylinder to form a holding collar to maintain the bag in place. The outer surface of the cylinder is colored or otherwise adorned to blend the assembly in with the existing decor.

Abstract: A system for drying microelectronic, optical and other parts that in the course of their processing are rendered wet with solvents or other liquids, which if not fully evaporated from the parts will contaminate and impair their quality. The system includes an open-ended drying chamber having a work zone intermediate its sides in which the parts to be dried are supported for exposure to a gas stream. One end of the chamber defines a gas inlet to admit the gas stream which sweeps the entire chamber. Coupled to the drying chamber is a pressure chamber in which a submicron particle filter unit of the Hepa type producing a relatively low pressure drop is disposed to cover the gas inlet.

Abstract: A self-drilling plastic anchor installable in a wall by means of a screwdriver, the anchor being adapted to receive a threaded fastener that serves to hold a fixture or other object against the wall. The anchor includes an externally-threaded shank section having an enlarged head that is engageable by the screwdriver and a cavity to receive the fastener. Extending from the lower end of the shank section is a drill section that terminates in a point that lies on the longitudinal axis of the anchor. When the anchor is applied to the wall, the point penetrates its surface, so that the anchor may then be turned by the screwdriver about the point. The drill section is formed by a pair of cutting blades on opposite sides of the anchor axis and a pair of guide blades, each angled relative to a respective cutting blade.

Abstract: A pneumatic play ball that includes an outer casing of non-stretchable material having a slit therein, the configuration of the casing depending on the nature of the ball. The casing encases a balloon of stretchable material which when unconfined is capable of being inflated to assume a generally globular form, the balloon having an air-passage stem. In its uninflated state, the balloon is inserted into the casing through an open port created by dilating the slit, the stem then projecting out of the port. After the confined balloon is inflated by blowing air through its stem to cause the balloon to conform to the inner surface of the casing and to assume the same configuration, the stem is knotted to seal the balloon.

Abstract: A game set for ceiling play composed of a shaped lighter-then-air master balloon tethered to a line to be held by the player, and a group of shaped lighter-then-air, free-floating slave balloons which when released rise to the ceiling of a play room. The respective balloon shapes and their number are appropriate to the game. Thus in a fishing game, the shapes of the slave balloons are those of different species of fish, and that of the master balloon is of a standard float at the end of a fishing line. Attached to the surface of the master balloon is a patch forming one element of a velcro fastener, and attached to the surface of each slave balloon is a patch forming the complementary element. In ceiling play, the player seeks by manipulating the tethered master balloon to position it so that the patch thereon engages the complementary patch on a selected slave balloon on the ceiling, at which point the caught slave balloon can be brought down from the ceiling.

Abstract: A dual mode athletic glove that includes an outer shell contoured to define a body section having finger sections radiating therefrom, the front surface of the body section forming a palm zone. Disposed within the outer shell and conforming thereto is an inner liner. A relatively stiff, flexible plate, interposed between the outer shell and the inner liner, is placed behind the palm zone as a backing therefor, whereby when the glove is worn by a player, then in its catching mode an incoming ball can be received in the palm zone and grasped by the finger sections of the glove. In the whacking mode of the glove, the finger sections are outstretched and the incoming ball is struck by the plate-backed palm zone which then functions as a paddle.

Abstract: A gasketed hatch cover usable in an odor control system in a wastewater treatment plant or in other installations provided with a hatch opening which when closed by the cover is then sealed to prevent the escape of fumes into the atmosphere. The hatch opening is bordered by parallel side walls each having a ledge projecting therefrom. The cover is formed by a rectangular plate whose long edges are turned down to form rims that rest on the ledges and are spaced from the side walls of the opening when the cover is closed. Fitting on each rim is a replaceable gasket of compressible material having a J-shaped section defining a channel to snugly accommodate the rim between the parallel short and long legs of the J, and a D-shaped section whose straight leg is common with the long leg of the J-section. When the gasketed cover is closed, the D-shaped section of each gasket is then compressed within the space between the rim and the side wall, thereby sealing the opening.

Abstract: A spacer divider system adapted to partition an interior space into working sub-areas wherein desks, cabinets, and other work components are integrated with partition walls formed by modular panels that are interlocked in a spatial pattern defining the desired sub-areas or work stations. Each panel includes a frame whose corners have recesses therein bordered by side ledges. To join two or more panels in side-by-side relation to create a planar partition wall, sandwiched between the adjoining vertical sides of the panels is a standard having a longitudinal row of slots on opposing faces thereof and a threaded socket at either end. The panels are locked together at their top and bottom by a clamp which bridges the complementary side ledges of the panels and is secured to the standard by a screw received in the end socket. To join one panel at right angles to another, use is made of a four-sided connector post whose ends are notched to create a ledge on each side.