Abstract: A cathodic protection system utilizes dynamic control of an output from a power supply to vary an impressed current applied to a structure to be protected proportional to a measurement of stray electrical current. The current is also supplied to an anode bed in an amount sufficient to maintain the structure more negatively charged than the anode bed such that the stray electrical currents are directed away from the structure, thus avoiding electrolytic attack.

Abstract: A fluid delivery powered toothbrush utilizes a removable/disposable neck assembly that contains a fluid reservoir, a fluid delivery system and a fluid path therein leading to a brush receptacle. No fluid is used in or passes through the toothbrush handle. Preferably a pump is located in the neck assembly and activated at the same time as the brush drive such that fluid is delivered during brushing. In one embodiment of the invention, the brush is replaced with a nozzle for providing fluid prior to or after brushing. The components for the neck assembly are disposable to minimize cross-contamination while enhancing fluid delivery to the teeth during brushing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an otter board (20) which may be used for generating a spreading force in connection with trawl fishing. The otter board according to the invention comprises at least two foils (1-3) which are suspended between a number of longitudinally extending ribs (5, 6, 10, 17, 26, 27) in such a way that at least one tapered channel is formed in which the flow of water is passing through the otter board. The channels are curved and formed so that water is ejected at a high speed in relation to the towing speed in a direction slightly downwards and along a respective end section of an adjacent lower or intermediate foil extending from the outlets of the channels, whereby turbulence is prevented from occurring even at high angles of attack of the otter board.

Abstract: A device for cleaning and improving the hygiene of the oral cavity and in particular of the tongue, comprises a rod 1 having a flat head 2 fixed to one end thereof. The head has two opposite flat surfaces 2a, each surface having a plurality of protuberances 3 thereon designed for scraping and brushing the upper tongue surface during cleaning. A fluid tank 8 can be located inside the rod 1, the fluid flowing through a channel 5 toward exit holes 6 made on the surfaces 2a of the head 2, or a cartridge can be attached at an end of the channel outside the rod. In each instance, fluid such as mouthwash is applied during cleaning.

Abstract: Apparatus for the drying of particulate material in superheated steam in a closed vessel (1). The vessel consists of a number of upwardly open, elongated and substantially vertical processing cells (2) which are placed around a central part with a heat exchanger (3). The last of these processing cells (2) has a closed bottom and is the discharge cell (4), while the remainder (2) have bottoms (5) through which steam can permeate. The processing cells (2), which lie at the side of one another, stand in mutual connection through openings (11) at the lowermost ends of the cells, so that the particulate material which is dried by the superheated steam which is blown up from the heat exchanger (3) through the steam-permeable bottoms (5) can pass from one processing cell (2) to the next through said openings (11).

Abstract: A covering band (12) is pre-heated and then definitively heated in two subsequent areas (P,Z), and is subjected to primary pulling, in an area (T), where the covering band is pulled and applied to a blister band (1), and to secondary pulling in an area (R) which coincides with the pre-heating area (P). The speed of the covering band (12) is lower in the secondary pulling area (R), so as to determine a lengthening which corresponds at least to its maximum lengthening resulting from pre-heating. Cyclical detecting of reference marks (20) printed on the covering band determines temporary reducing of the covering band (12) speed in the secondary pulling point (R), so as to provoke an additional lengthening. The device includes pulling means (5,11) of the blister band (1) and covering band (12), pre-heating means (11) and heating means (13) for the covering band (12), detecting means (16), and driving means (30) acting with different speeds, controlled by the detecting means (16).

Abstract: A method is provided for compensating an output signal of an electronic device having an input end electrically connected to a feedback device and an output end electrically connected to a load. This method includes steps of (a) measuring a standard voltage V.sub.o of the load, (b) determining an input voltage V.sub.i and an input current I.sub.i of the electronic device, and (c) generating a feedback signal based on said input voltage V.sub.i. The method further includes steps of (d) determining a maximum current I.sub.max and a minimum current I.sub.min of the feedback signal passing through the feedback device, (e) defining an estimated output current I.sub.o of the electronic device based on the maximum current I.sub.max and the minimum current I.sub.min, and (f) compensating the output signal of the electronic device according to a compensating factor d determined by the standard voltage V.sub.o, the input voltage V.sub.i, the input current I.sub.i, and the estimated output current I.sub.

Abstract: A preform suitable for use in a resin transfer molding process comprising (1) one or more layers of a non-woven random mat and (2) one or more layers of a series of tows of unidirectional fibers held together by a polymeric curable resin film grid. The polymeric resin film is in the form of a grid, such that only a fraction of the surface area of the fibers contacts the resin film.

Abstract: To stimulate and engage children, especially older children, playground equipment is disclosed which provides a suitable challenge, by consisting of three columns which are arranged in a triangular cross-sectional form which tapers inwardly. The columns are assembled with connection tubes at the top and possibly also further down to provide a stable and very strong construction which supports various accessories elements such as ropes, climbing walls, cross-beams, etc. A spherical assembly bracket with through holes is mounted on a column and used in the assembly and suspension of the accessory elements.

Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus which carries out a method for taking and piling articles supplied in a plurality of rows for transferring the obtained piles of articles to a packaging line. The articles are moved along at least two working lines arranged side by side and parallel to each other. The articles are piled in piling stations which are staggered apart by a predetermined step. The obtained piles of articles are transferred, also staggered by a predetermined step, to a packaging line where a first conveyer moves the piles from the piling member, to other conveying devices which move the piles to a packaging line in which the piles are arranged in a single row.

Abstract: The invention relates to a kitchen unit (100) for the handling of portions of household garbage at the source, i.e. in the individual households, said kitchen unit being in the form of a box, which fits into a kitchen table. The first compartment (7) is connected to a refrigeration unit having an evaporator (13) in the first compartment (7) and a condenser (14) which is placed under the bottom in the second compartment (17), so that the heat from the condenser (14) can rise up through a grating (21) into the second compartment (17). The first compartment (7) is insulated against heat on five (6, 8, 9, 10, 11) of its six walls, while the sixth wall (15) is formed using a heat-conducting material. The moisture from wet garbage which is deposited in the second compartment (17) is evaporated by the heat from the condenser and rises to meet the cold wall (15). Consequently, the vapor condenses and drips down this wall to a drip-tray (18), from which the condensate is led to a dish (20) via a tube (19).

Abstract: A testing device for emergency lighting units has a telescopic handle, a bracket at a first end of the handle, a magnet at the end of the bracket and a temperature sensor adjacent to the magnet. The magnet has sufficient strength to engage a surface of the lighting unit adjacent a test switch so as to cause actuation of the test switch. The magnet holds the test switch down for the duration of the test. The temperature sensor provides an indication of the ambient conditions adjacent the lighting unit which has an effect on battery life and which is used to determine the frequency of the testing of the unit.