Abstract: An electromagnetic flowmeter in which the fluid being metered passes through a flow tube to intersect the lines of flux of a magnetic field produced by an electromagnet whereby the resultant voltage induced in the fluid is transferred to a pair of electrodes mounted at diametrically-opposed positions on the tube. The electromagnet is so driven as to produce a flux field having a triangular wave form. The voltage signal yielded by the electrodes is therefore a composite having a triangular wave component that is a replica of the flux wave and a rectangular wave component that is generated by a spurious loop pick up voltage. The composite signal is applied to a converter and processed therein to cancel out the rectangular wave component whereby the converter output signal is accurately proportional to the flow rate of the fluid.

Abstract: A fitted sheet for covering a standard crib or bed mattress, the sheet being made of synthetic plastic material having an absorbent top layer laminated to a liquid-impermeable backing film whereby when a crib or bed occupant wets the sheet, the liquid is absorbed thereby, yet the underlying mattress is maintained in a dry, sanitary condition. The fitted sheet is created from a single rectangular blank whose sides are folded in on longitudinal fold lines and whose ends are folded in on transverse fold lines, the corners of the blank being folded in on diagonal fold lines to form triangular folds that are ultrasonically sealed to the folded-in ends, thereby defining a box-like fitted sheet having reinforced right angle corners and sides and ends coextensive with those of the mattress. Each end of the fitted sheet is creased to form puckers that are joined to an elastic strip to render the end stretchable whereby the fitted sheet conforms snugly to the mattress.

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 amplitude contour of individual tones, 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: An articulated hand-held exerciser constituted by left and right-hand weighted clubs having replaceable handles which simulate the grip of a standard handled sports appliance such as a tennis racquet. The ends of the clubs are hinged together by a spring or other means so that the clubs, when held by a user, may be more or less angled and the exerciser is capable of executing both simple and complex motions. These bring into play and develop the muscles of the muscular system associated with the shoulders, arms and wrists of the user, the same muscles which are involved when using the sports appliance.

Abstract: A gas-fired infrared heater for projecting an infrared beam in a directional radiation pattern. The heater is constituted by a ribbon-type burner and a refractory body of a material radiating infrared energy when heated to an elevated temperature by the burner. The burner is formed by a metal pipe having a longitudinally-extending outlet defined by a pair of parallel plates projecting laterally from the pipe and having a set of corrugated ribbons therein, a pad of thermal insulation being secured to the outer surface of each plate, whereby when a mixture of air and gas is fed into the pipe and ignited, a sheet of flame emerges from the outlet. The burner is received within a longitudinally-extending internal channel in the refractory body, the outlet being then aligned with an internal cavity so that the flame emerging from the outlet impinges on a surface of the cavity to heat this surface to an elevated temperature causing it to emit infrared radiation.

Abstract: A method for effecting in vitro/in vivo fertilization in which an oocyte and its follicle are removed from the mother. In a host mother, the wall which separates the intraperitoneal fluid from the extraperitoneal fluid is perforated, and placed within this perforation is a culture container. Introduced into this container are the oocyte and its follicular fluid, the spermatozoa and a culture medium. After fertilization and multiplication of the cells under optional artificial conditions, the transfer of the embryo and the nidation are carried out in a substantially normal manner.

Abstract: An articulated toy vehicle capable of negotiating a difficult terrain such as a terrain characterized by successive troughs and peaks and other irregularities. The articulated vehicle is composed of a wheeled tractor section and a series of wheeled trailer sections linked thereto by means of a motor-driven, multi-section drive shaft, each section of which is operatively coupled to a wheel axle of a respective vehicle section. The drive shaft sections are intercoupled by detachable universal joints whereby as the vehicle traverses the difficult terrain, it assumes a sinuous formation conforming to the varying contours of the terrain to provide a distributed traction making it possible for the vehicle to overcome the difficulties presented by the terrain.

Abstract: A replaceable air freshener primarily for use on the tiled wall of a bathroom or kitchen. The air freshener is formed by a transparent plastic film of polymeric material whose dimensions match those of a standard tile, the rear face of the film having a low tack, clear adhesive thereon whereby the film may be laminated to a selected tile on the wall or readily removed therefrom. The film is constituted by a polymeric matrix having myriad cells dispersed therein impregnated with a volatile fragrance which is slowly released from the film into the atmosphere of the room. Screened on the front face of the film is an artwork having a background field imparted thereto by the color of the tile onto which the film is laminated so that the artwork is then in harmony with the tiled wall. The emitted fragrance is thematically related to the artwork so that should the artwork be an Xmas tree, the fragrance will be that of pine.

Abstract: An aroma generator that is rendered operative only when one turns on an electric light bulb in the room in which the generator is installed, the generator then functioning to discharge an air current into the room conveying an aromatic vapor which modifies the prevailing atmosphere. Included in the generator is a motor-driven fan that forces air through an air permeable cartridge containing an aroma supply, the motor being connected to a battery through a signal-responsive electronic relay. Applied to the relay is a signal derived from a light sensor which is adjacent the light source to intercept light rays therefrom. The arrangement is such that when the bulb is switched on, the signal from the sensor is then of sufficient magnitude to actuate the relay and thereby render the generator operative, whereby the operation of the aroma generator is coordinated with that of the bulb without any wire connection therebetween.

Abstract: An aroma-generating unit adapted to periodically discharge into the atmosphere bursts of aromatic vapor, the non-aromatic intervals between the bursts having a duration sufficient to avoid desensitizing the olfactory response of those exposed to the unit. The unit includes a hollow case whose upper wall has a vent therein and whose side wall has a slot to receive a replaceable cartridge provided with a porous mat impregnated with an aromatic liquid. When fully inserted, the cartridge is disposed below the vent and serves to define an air-confined chamber within the case. Disposed in this chamber is an electrical heater that is periodically energized by power pulses to heat and expand the confined air and to produce a positive pressure in the chamber forcing the heated air through the impregnated mat to rapidly volatilize the liquid and to produce bursts of aroma which are discharged into the atmosphere through the vent, which bursts are separated by relatively long, non-aromatic intervals.

Abstract: A motorizd toy car which upon frontal impact with a wall or other obstruction simulates a crash and its consequences. The wheeled car is provided with a chassis on which a hollow body is mounted, the body being defined by a front hood section having a simulated bumper prow, an intermediate cockpit section accommodating a hinged side door, and a rear trunk section having a trunk lid hinged thereon. The intermediate and rear sections are formed of rigid material and are attached to the chassis, whereas the front section which is formed of resilient material is free of the chassis. Slidable along the chassis is a sled whose front end is attached to the prow of the front body section, a coil spring urging the sled to a retracted position in which the front section is deformed to assume a crushed appearance.

Abstract: An aroma-generating cigarette lighter insertable into a dashboard socket having terminals connected to the vehicle battery. The lighter includes a cylindrical case that fits into the socket. Telescoped within the case is a spring-biased hollow plunger that has a heater unit attached to its front end and a center bore at its rear end. When the lighter is inactive, the heater unit lies within the case; but when the lighter is activated by pressing in the plunger, the heater unit is advanced from the case and its contacts then engage the socket terminals to effect energization of the unit. A hollow cylindrical cartridge whose diameter is less than the internal diameter of the case is coupled to the rear end of the plunger, the front end of the cartridge being provided with a hollow plug that is threadably received in the end bore of the plunger. Supported within the cartridge is a porous wafer impregnated with a volatile liquid fragrance.

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 system in which a three-dimensional image of an object is stored in a data input device in the form of a family of points each defined by digital data representing the x-y-z Cartesian coordinates of the point. Digital signals derived from the data input device are applied through a digital interface to an electronic display on whose face is presented a two-dimensional image of the object constituted by pixels, the positions of which correspond to the x-y coordinates in the family of points. The interface functions to selectively activate each pixel to render it luminous. The selectively-activated luminous pixels are projected into a model space by a lens which is driven to rotate at a constant rate on an axle that is normal to the optical axis of the lens and is parallel to the display face whereby the angle of the lens relative to the face undergoes continuous change.

Abstract: A direct-acting pressure sensor capable in the low-pressure range and including a pressure-sensitive assembly constituted by inner and outer concentrically-arranged curved springs anchored at one end in a socket to define a pressure region therebetween, within which is disposed an elongated, flexible bladder forming an internal pressure chamber communicating with a fluid input socket. The springs are joined at their free end to form a tip whose travel is indicative of the pressure of fluid applied to the sensor. The bladder initially assumes a curved form conforming to the curvature of the springs; but when subjected to internal pressure by an applied fluid, it seeks to straighten out to an extent determined by the level of pressure.

Abstract: A scratch and smell game for pre-school children which makes use of a playing board on whose front face is printed drawings of different fruits or other odor-producing objects, each having a characteristic smell. At a site adjacent each fruit on the front face is a removable chip seated in a cutout in the board and forming a part of the board, the chips all having the same geometry. Coated on the front face of each chip is a layer of rupturable capsules containing a fragrance whose smell matches that of the particular fruit adjacent thereto. Printed on the rear face of the board are drawings of the same fruits, portions of these printed drawings being included on the rear faces of the chips so that the chips are necessary to complete the drawings. In playing the game, the player first removes all chips from the board and then shuffles them so that their proper sites on the front face of the board are no longer known.

Abstract: A cigarette lighter adapted to function also as an aroma generator. The lighter is insertable into a socket in the dashboard of an automobile, the socket having terminals connected to the vehicle battery. The lighter includes a case that fits into the socket and a spring-biased hollow plunger that is telescoped in the case. The plunger is formed from a cylindrical shell having a cage projecting from its open rear end and terminating in a ring serving as the plunger knob. Attached to the front end of the shell is a heater unit which, in the inactive state of the plunger, lies within the case. To activate the lighter, the user presses in the plunger to advance the heater unit until its contacts are engaged by the socket terminals, one of which is a latching bi-metallic element, thereby energizing the unit.

Abstract: A free-wheeling toy vehicle which when propelled makes a repetitive sound simulating the noise of an internal combustion engine. The vehicle includes a chassis having bearings supporting front and rear wheel axles. Lying on top of the chassis between the axles is a drum having an elastic drum head. Cantilevered from one end of the chassis is a clapper formed of a flat metal spring terminating in a striker, the spring being biased so that the striker normally rests on the drum head. A finger projects downwardly from the clapper, the tip of the finger being successively engaged by the equispaced teeth of a hub mounted on one of the wheel axles and turning therewith. Each time the finger tip is engaged by a moving tooth, the finger is pushed forward to raise the striker above the drum head; and when the finger than falls between adjacent teeth, the striker is released to hit the drum head to generate a thumping sound.