Abstract: A dual-function pillow which in its normal mode serves as a comfortable bed rest or any other conventional purpose, and in its transformed mode functions as a plaything. The pillow is constituted by a soft and compressible inner bag and a removable outer case which covers the bag, the outer case having printed on its face a two-dimensional character in humanoid or animal-like form. Means such as drawstrings or elastic bands are provided to encircle the outer case and constrict the pillow along transverse lines displaced from opposite ends of the case. The placement of these lines is such relative to the character on the face of the pillow as to transform the two-dimensional character into a three-dimensional figure whose form is generally that of the character.

Abstract: An anchor and stress plate assembly adapted to secure an insulation layer to the deck of a roof without penetrating the lower surface of the deck which is formed either of relatively soft or hard decking material. The anchor is provided with a flanged head and a shank whose leading section takes the form of an auger screw having a root which tapers toward the tip and a threading about the root whose crests are of approximately uniform diameter. When the anchor is turned into soft decking material, the tapered root of the auger screw then acts to pack this material into a dense mass in the region surrounding the screw to enhance the holding power of the anchor. In hard decking material, a hole must first be drilled therein to receive the auger screw whose root when the anchor is turned in fits within the hole and whose crests then cut a thread in the hole wall to securely retain the anchor.

Abstract: A wedding invitation or other image-bearing product inscribed or otherwise printed on the face of an edge-bevelled glass plate nested within a well formed in a rigid foam-plastic block, the well being so placed as to create a rectangular frame bordering the glass plate. The block is covered by a pad of like material having the same rectangular dimensions to form a sandwich assembly. This assembly is inserted in and snugly held in a cardboard box to provide a mailer that may be safely sent to the party to whom the invitation or product is addressed.

Abstract: A toy vehicle which upon frontal impact with an obstacle simulates in its appearance the consequences of a car crash. The vehicle has a hollow body mounted on a chassis, which body includes a front hood section provided with a front bumper, an intermediate cab section having a hinged door on either side, and a rear section. The cab and rear sections are secured to the chassis, whereas the front section, which is formed of resilient material, is free of the chassis. The front wheels rotate on short axles whose bearings are pivoted on the chassis so that these wheels in their normal state are parallel to the chassis, and in the crash state are angled with respect thereto, as a result of which the wheels are skewed. Slidable on the chassis is a slide whose front end is secured to the bumper, the slide being maintained by a spring-biased detent in a forward position and being urged by a spring to a retracted position.

Abstract: A computerized system into which is fed the nominal values of a musical score, the system acting to process these values with respect to the relative loudness of different tones in a succession thereof, changes in the duration of the tones and other deviations from the nominal values which together constitute the microstructure of the music notated by the score. The system yields the specified tones of the score as modified by the microstructure, thereby imparting expressivity to the music that is lacking in the absence of the microstructure.

Abstract: A technique for molding pieces of popcorn candy having different geometric shapes that are interfittable, making it possible for the user to integrate the pieces in any desired manner to create art objects that are both displayable and edible and have a flavor predetermined by the user. The technique is carried out by means of a corn popper which converts kernels of corn into a batch of popcorn and a family of molds having different geometric shapes. A bonding agent is prepared by boiling a blend including sugar and syrup to create a molten cream and then adding flavoring thereto. A portion of the molten cream is intermingled with the batch of popcorn and the resultant flowable mix is used to fill the molds. After cooling and hardening, the shaped pieces of popcorn candy are then removed from the mold and interfitted as desired, using the same molten cream to integrate the pieces to form an edible art object.

Abstract: A mass flowmeter of the Coriolis-type in which the fluid to be metered is conducted through a loop supported on a stationary frame, the loop having a natural resonance frequency. Mounted at the vertex of the loop is a ballistic vibrator which is electrically energized to cause the loop to vibrate at its natural frequency on either side of its static plane. The fluid passing through the loop is subjected to Coriolis forces, causing the vibrating loop to torsionally oscillate in accordance with the mass flow rate of the fluid. This torsional oscillation is sensed by a pair of strain gauge transducers mounted in balanced relation on opposite legs of the loop, whereby the signals yielded by the transducers have a difference in magnitude therebetween that depends on the amplitude of the torsional oscillation. These signals are applied to a differential amplifier whose output is proportional to the mass flow rate of the fluid.

Abstract: A wrist-borne launcher for a toy vehicle having a road-engaging flywheel mounted on an axle, one end of which extends through the bearing of a false wheel and terminates in a male coupler coaxial with a ring on the outer hub thereof. When not in use, the vehicle is held on a platform having a battery compartment, the platform being provided at its underside with a wrist-engaging cuff. Wires from the battery compartment pass through an arm cantilevered from the platform to reach over the hand of the player. The wires are connected to an electric motor housed in a power box supported at the free end of the arm, a depressible switch being connected in series with the motor. The shaft of the motor terminates in a female coupler coaxially disposed within a cylindrical socket formed in the side of the box corresponding to the underside of the platform, a switch actuator being interposed between the female coupler and the rim of the socket.

Abstract: A differential pressure-transducer of the capacitive type that includes a drum-shaped insulating body whose flat opposing faces each have a circular back-up nest indented therein covered by an insulating diaphragm to define a cavity. The underside of each diaphragm is metallized as is the base of the related nest to form the electrodes of a variable capacitor whose value depends on the degree and direction of diaphragm deflection. Interconnecting the cavities is a plurality of internal ducts of small diameter that extend between the bases of the nests. Admitted through one of the ducts and filling the cavities is an incompressible dielectric fluid. Hence when an increase in high pressure applied to the face of one diaphragm acts to deflect this diaphragm inwardly, the fluid in the related nest is forced through the ducts into the nest for the low pressure diaphragm which is then deflected outwardly.

Abstract: A technique for identifying an unknown microorganism, in which technique a specimen of the unknown microorganism is prepared to which a radioactive emissive agent has been added that is actively incorporated into the products of metabolism of the microorganism to produce a mix of radioactive peptide or protein emissive products in a manner that depends on the metabolic mechanism of the microorganism. The peptide or protein emissive products in the mix resulting from the preparation of the specimen are then separated. The separated emissive products are detected by sensing the emission from the products to provide an electrical signal whose wave pattern is indicative of the identity of the microorganism. This wave pattern is compared in a computer with patterns stored therein representing a collection of known microorganisms.

Abstract: A motorless Velcro tape feed and cut assembly acting as a slave unit which cooperates with the horn of an ultrasonic welding machine. When the horn is brought down to carry out a welding action, it then depresses the spring-biased operating block of the assembly, causing it to shift downwardly from its normally raised position above a base plate to a final position adjacent to the base plate, the block returning to its raised position when the horn is retracted. Anchored on the base plate and projecting thereabove is an anvil which telescopes within an open-ended anvil channel in the block, the length of the anvil being such that in the final position of the block its head is then in operative relation to the horn to effect welding of a Velcro component onto a fabric lying on the upper face of the block.

Abstract: A reversible fragrance emitting unit adapted to rest on a flat surface in either an upright or an upside down position, no fragrance being emitted in one position and fragrance being emitted in the other position, so that a switching action is effected simply by reversing the unit. The unit consists of a vented cylindrical shell closed at its upper end by a cover plate and at its lower end by a bottom wall. Disposed within the shell and secured to the cover plate is an absorbent pad. Joined to the pad is the leading end of a series of interhinged absorbent elements in an accordian formation, the trailing end of the series being joined to a weight whereby when the unit is upside down, the accordian is collapsed on the bottom wall and compressed by the overlying weight, and when the unit is reversed in position and is made upright, the weight drops to the bottom wall, thereby expanding the accordian.

Abstract: A mass flowmeter of the Coriolis type in which the fluid to be metered is conducted through a pipe which is coiled to form a double loop. The pipe is anchored at its inlet and outlet ends and also at its center which is the junction of the two loops to define a tuning fork in which the identical loops on either side of the anchored center function as tines that are free to vibrate as well as to twist. An electromagnetic driver mounted at the vertex of the double loop is electrically energized to cause the loops to vibrate in phase opposition at the natural frequency of the tuning fork. The fluid passing through the double loop is subjected to Coriolis forces, thereby causing the vibrating loops to torsionally oscillate in accordance with the mass flow of the fluid.

Abstract: Disposable apparel shorts fabricated from a single blank of non-woven textile sheeting, the blank having opposing isosceles triangular indentations therein whose vertices lie at the opposite ends of a transverse center line. When the blank is folded on this line to form identical superposed sections, these constitute the front and rear sections of the shorts in which the upper margins of the sections define the waist, and the folded-over triangular indentations define the leg openings. The side margins of the front section are folded in and the corresponding side margins of the rear section are folded over the folded-in margins to define side vents in the leg openings to provide additional space, should it be required by the wearer. An elastic band is bonded in its stretched state to the inner surface of the upper margins of the sections to create a shirred circular waist which is expandable to conform to the waist of the wearer.

Abstract: A fitted sheet for covering a standard crib or bed mattress. The fitted sheet is developed from a single rectangular blank of non-woven fabric material, the sides of which are folded in along parallel longitudinal fold lines to form a folded-in sheet whose width corresponds to that of the mattress for which it is intended and whose length exceeds that of the mattress to an extent necessary to define the ends of the fitted sheet. Each corner of the folded-in sheet is seamed along a diagonal line to form a triangular flap which when the sides of the folded-in sheet are folded over the sides of the mattress, then defines a right angle corner that fits against the corresponding corner of the mattress. Each end of the fitted sheet is rendered stretchable by an elastic strip whereby the fitted sheet conforms snugly to the mattress.

Abstract: A front display panel for an industrial process control instrument which acts to maintain a process variable, such as flow rate, at a desired value. The instrument compares a signal representing the variable with an adjustable set point to produce an output signal that reflects the deviation of the variable from the set point, the output signal being applied to a final control element such as a valve which governs the process variable. The front panel of the instrument includes a bar graph indicator for the process variable, a bar graph indicator for the set point and a bar graph indicator for the output signal, all three indicators being of the gas discharge type and being integrated into a single panel defining a sealed envelope filled with an ionizable gas and provided with electrodes. Also integrated into the panel are touch-sensitive switches and other control and indicating elements.

Abstract: A simulated combat game set in which the players are provided with toy water guns and each player wears a target. When a gun is fired by a player it shoots out a beam of water, each player trying to hit a vulnerable site on the target worn by an opposing player and thereby strike him out. To this end, the vulnerable site on the target is constituted by a plaque or label having printed thereon a strike symbol or other hit indicator covered by a mask that conceals the indicator. The hit indicator is rendered readable only when the mask is made wet and transparent by a water beam impinging thereon.

Abstract: A trellis for supporting horizontal wires to train grape vines whose canes grow upwardly. The trellis comprises a post which is set in the ground and a pair of tubular metal arms attached at their lower ends to opposite sides of the post, the arms having a bend therein to create above ground a symmetrical goblet-like form in which the portions of the arms above the bends diverge outwardly with respect to the post. The arms are bridged by a rigid cross brace which is attached at its ends to the arms at a point intermediate the bend and the upper end thereof, the brace being secured to the post to rigidify the structure. Bored at corresponding positions in the arms are three sets of holes, one set being adjacent the upper end, the other at about the intermediate point, and the third at about the bend.

Abstract: A soft and lightweight play ball for use by pre-school and small children, the ball having the configuration and external appearance of a relatively hard and heavy conventional athletic ball of a given type, such as a football or baseball. The play ball is effectively "dead" and almost free of bounce, hence it rebounds only slightly when striking a hard surface; and the ball is highly compressible, thereby making it possible for a small child to grasp, throw and catch the ball without difficulty. The play ball is constituted by a smooth, somewhat elastomeric casing including a polyvinyl plastic outer skin laminated to a stretchable inner reinforcing liner, whose shape and external appearance are similar to those of a conventional athletic ball, the squeezable casing enveloping a compressible core formed of shreds of soft, fibrous material material, whereby the fingers of the child grasping the ball press therein to provide a good grip despite the smoothness of the casing.