Abstract: An earpiece has a structural configuration effective to removably interlock its outer surface contiguously to the outer ear auricle of the earpiece wearer. A microphone substantially exclusively receives, from the air of the external auditory canal, outbound voice sounds caused by the reverse modulation of the tympanic membrane when the earpiece wearer speaks. An outbound audio circuit is electrically connected to the microphone which converts the outbound voice sounds to electrical voice signals. The outbound audio circuit amplifies the outbound electrical voice signals to a preselected fixed level output gain and removes noise from the voice signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for the direct fluorination of solid particles of polymeric resins capable of being fluorinated in which the solid particles are in contact with the gaseous phase of fluorine/dense carrier fluid in a tubular reactor with an internal mechanical device comprising a rotatable shaft with screw flight, multiblade or wire brush that mechanically fluidizes the solid phase. The design of the internal mechanical device is a function of the diameter and length of the tubular reactor and the reaction time and other physical properties of the solid particles of polymeric resins. The internal mechanical device prevents agglomeration of the solid particles and promotes uniform contact with the gaseous phase by inducing mobility to the solid particles. The enhancement of solid surface contact with the gaseous phase assists the reaction between the solid polymeric resin and the elemental fluorine, as well as the heat dissipation into the dense carrier fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for the direct fluorination of solid particles of polymeric resins capable of being fluorinated in which the solid particles are contacted by a flow of a mixture of fluorine and carrier fluid in a solid-gas reactor. In the solid-gas reactor, the fluid flow continuously agitates or fluidizes the solid particles to maintain the solid particles in motion. The degree of motion of the solid particles is a function of the linear velocity of the fluid and of the physical properties of the solid particles such as the solid bulk density, particle size, geometry of the solid particle, and adhesion or agglomeration of solid particles. The solid-gas reactor can be arranged with single or multi-reactors in batch or continous mode.

Abstract: The assembly of the invention includes a pressure vessel having a size to fit in a usual home refrigerator for the domestic fermenting of a fermentable liquid mixture under pressure and under chilled conditions. The pressure vessel defines a closed fermentation chamber for containing a bath having an amount of fermentable liquid mixture effective to provide a pressurized atmosphere above the surface of the bath within the closed fermentation chamber during the fermenting process. A pressure relief valve controls the pressure within the fermentation chamber at a level sufficient to maintain safety conditions during the fermentation process. Pressurized gaseous material is introduced into the pressure vessel upon completion of the fermentation process to maintain pressure in the bath within the chamber.

Abstract: A handle assembly is provided for an article carrier having at least one flexible end section for manually grasping to cause the article being carried to suspend downwardly from the grasped end section. The distal end section includes a bifurcated distal portion having two laterally spaced flaps joined along a generally U-shaped inner peripheral edge profile. The flaps include closed outer peripheral edges that intersect closed distal end edges. Each of the spaced flaps include an elongated distal end loop structure having a longitudinal axis extending transversely to the inner peripheral edge profile. Each elongated distal end loop structure includes a closed secured edge extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and having facing loop openings with a diameter that receives opposing ends of a rigid rod member. The rod member has a length sufficient to extend substantially along the entire longitudinal axis of the distal end loop structure of both flaps.

Abstract: A particulate material dispensing assembly comprises a container for storing particulate material and includes an end cap device having a passageway for discharging the particulate material. The end cap device is disposed at a discharge end of the container and includes a removably mounted brush. The container includes a base section, a delivery section and a collapsible resilient coupling section connecting the base section to the delivery section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an internal combustion engine liquid fuel delivery system includes an electrical power source to preheat fuel to a maximum temperature for the fuel to remain in the liquid phase just below the fuel vaporization. Preheating takes place immediately before delivery to the engine's carburetor. Fuel is heated in a dual coil assembly having an adjustable valve that controls the volume of fuel flowing through the heating assembly. A temperature control apparatus maintains the fuel temperature at fuel pre-vaporization temperature. The retrofit system includes a solenoid that selectively directs fuel through either the fuel delivery preheating system or the engine's existing fuel delivery system. An operator's control panel for activating or deactivating the solenoid-controlled valve means and the preheating device is located inside the driver's compartment.

Abstract: An earpiece has a structural configuration effective to removably interlock its outer surface contiguously to the outer ear auricle of the earpiece wearer. A microphone substantially exclusively receives, from the air of the external auditory canal, outbound voice sounds caused by the reverse modulation of the tympanic membrane when the earpiece wearer speaks. An outbound audio circuit is electrically connected to the microphone which converts the outbound voice sounds to electrical voice signals. The outbound audio circuit amplifies the outbound electrical voice signals to a preselected fixed level output gain and removes noise from the voice signals.

Abstract: A labeling method and assembly for automatically applying a price-printed label onto an article having an outer surface. The assembly comprises an alignment mechanism for disposition of an article in a predetermined position within a label-receiving work station. A first sensing element is located to recognize the presence of the article disposed adjacent the alignment mechanism. A label transport arrangement carries a price-printed label from a home position at the label printer to a label-applying position adjacent the outer surface of the article. The first sensing element activates an initiating mechanism for activating the label transport arrangement. A second sensing element recognizes when the label transport arrangement has applied the price-printed label to the outer surface of the article. A retracting mechanism responsive to the second sensing element returns the label transport arrangement to the home position.

Abstract: A putting aid device of generally T-shape having a stem the lower end of which is securable to the handle end portion of the shaft of a golf club, and having a crosspiece which abuts a user's chest so that end portions extend behind a user's arms, whereby to promote the user maintaining a good putting stance and action by maintaining a constant geometrical configuration of the head, hands, arms and shoulders as indicated by the triangle.

Abstract: A process for the direct fluorination of polymeric resins in which polymeric material capable of being fluorinated is contacted with elemental fluorine and a dense carrier fluid having a critical temperature higher than ambient temperature, a boiling point lower than ambient temperature minus 60 celcius degrees, and a molecular weight greater than the molecular weight of elemental fluorine. The dense carrier fluid preferably has a molecular weight in the range of about 40 to about 200.

Abstract: A pumping apparatus comprises a piston/cylinder assembly mounted between two laterally spaced end cap sections attached to base means and including spring-loaded valve devices. A piston rod is movably supported in and extends outwardly from one of the end cap sections. A manually operated linkage mechanism effects axial longitudinal movement of the piston rod and a support mechanism maintains longitudinal axial alignment of the piston rod during its longitudinal axial movement. The longitudinal movement of the piston rod operates in concert with the spring-loaded valve devices to pump fluid manually when the pumping apparatus is positioned in any angular disposition with respect to the horizontal.

Abstract: A practical joke device comprises a mouthpiece attached to a rolled-up (or deflated) display portion. The display portion can be unrolled (or inflated) and thereby extended by delivering air thereto by way of the mouthpiece, in order, in use, to display information carried thereon. The display portion comprises a panel adapted for carrying and displaying information. The panel has such size and dimensions that, in the unrolled, extended (or inflated) state at least one dimension of the panel is about 3 or more times greater than the width of the mouthpiece. The at least one dimension is generally transverse to the extension direction of the display panel. In the unrolled, extended (or inflated) state, the extension direction of the display panel may be displaced from the axis of the mouthpiece.

Abstract: A noninvasive probe effects a method of measuring the depth of the periodontal pocket along an outer surface of a tooth wherein the depth is measured from an outer gum ledge tooth surface adjacent a tooth outer surface to the bottom of the pocket where the bone surface joins the tooth outer surface. The probe comprises an elongated handle portion, a neck portion and a head portion with each said portion having a respective longitudinal axis. The head portion includes an outer tip section and a transducer section connecting the tip section to the neck portion. The outer tip section includes a gum contacting end surface having a structural configuration effective to completely engage the outer gum ledge surface adjacent the tooth outer surface. The probe is used in combination with an assembly comprising a mechanism for establishing a first ultrasound pulse travel path having a fixed, reflective delay time and a second ultrasound pulse travel path having a variable, reflective delay time.

Abstract: A fin-stabilized projectile comprises a body section and a tail section disposed along a longitudinal axis. The tail section includes an outer end portion, a fin-carrying portion, and a boom portion having a tubular wall defining an ignition propellant gas chamber with a plurality of propellant gas ejection holes therein. An ignition cartridge load package includes a main propellant charge and an end cap firing section. The main propellant charge is disposed within the tubular boom portion and includes compacted particulate propellant material. The particulate propellant material forms a rigid, elongated wall structure defining open passageways for directing propellant igniting gases from the end cap firing section through the boom portion toward the body section. The open passageways direct propellant igniting gases from the end cap firing section along surfaces along the wall structure to ignite the propellant material forming the wall structure.

Abstract: Improved structures in bearings operable to receive and support shafts or members which are supported for rotation on shafts or pins. The balls and/or rollers and/or one or more of such components, such as the outer and inner races, are coated with hard, high strength synthetic diamond material deposited in situ thereon. In all forms, the synthetic diamond material coatings may be overcoated with thin layers of chromium, chromium alloys or similar materials which serve to protect the synthetic diamond material coating same.