Abstract: A vacuum chamber, such as a semiconductor wafer plasma processing chamber, is heated by use of a ceramic igniter array consisting of a plurality of ceramic igniters positioned in a substrate.

Abstract: A method of cultivating a plant is disclosed which meets certain aesthetic and other requirements. A plant (8) is stripped of any unwanted growth from its stem (9) leaving the upper foliage (10) in place. The thus stripped stem (9) is then passed through the full length slot (2) of a first sleeve (1) to retain the stem (9) within the sleeve (1). A hollow frusto-conical retainer (3) is then positioned with its smaller end in communication with the upper end of the sleeve (1), the upper foliage (10) being passed through a slot (4) to be encapsulated within the retainer (3). The retainer (3) is then rotated to misalign the respective slots (2), (4). The sleeve (1) and retainer (3) are then moved upwards until the upper foliage (10) is also encapsulated within the first sleeve (1). The retainer (3) is then removed and a wire (11) is attached to the upper end of the sleeve (1). A second sleeve (5) is then slid over the wire (11) and first sleeve (1).

Abstract: A foldable support structure having at least three interconnected rigid annular rings. The first ring is formed for service as a base. A second ring is formed for service as a load bearing support above the base. A third ring is formed for service as a connector to connect the first and second rings and to support the second ring above the first ring. A first releasable load-bearing hinge is mounted to hingedly join adjacent portions of the first and third rings. A second releasable load bearing hinge is mounted to hingedly join adjacent portions of the second and third rings, wherein the hingedly joined adjacent portions of the first and third rings being oppositely disposed from the hingedly joined adjacent portions of the second and third rings.

Abstract: A novel clip for connecting each of a series of metal studs in a building wall to a metal channel passing through an opening formed in each stud. The clip is formed of a plate bent into a right angle. One section of the plate forms a saddle portion adapted to straddle and be secured to the channel. A second section of the plate is adapted to be attached to a wall stud. In a first embodiment, the second section has a pair of plates offset from each other so that one of the plates resides behind and the other plate resides in front of the web of the stud to which the plates are assembled. In a second embodiment, the clip has a single plate which is attached to the stud. A third embodiment includes a stiffening rib formed on each of two plates to improve the rigidity of the clip. The saddle portion and the plates in all embodiments are secured to a respective channel and stud by a screw, rivet or the like.

Abstract: The fishing rig of the present invention is an assembly of a round cylindrical weight and two beads threaded on a stiff wire member. The cylindrical weight has two flat ends and an axial hole perpendicular thereto. The wire member is made with a free length of about 3 times the length of the weight. By the unique shape of the weight, the stiffness of the wire and the ratio of length of the wire to the weight, a fishing rig which casts more accurately and which gets snagged on underwater obstructions less frequently is achieved.

Abstract: A method of apparatus for heat sealing two portions of film associated with packaging of a product is based on bringing the two portions of film being joined together under pressure of mating sealing components, heating the juncture between the portions and during the time such pressure and heat is being applied, forcing one of the sealing components engaging the film to shift relative to the other of the sealing components in the direction of the seal whereby to improve the quality of the seal.

Abstract: A mouthguard which has a generally U-shaped intra-oral portion for placement in a patient's mouth and a generally U-shaped extra-oral portion which is placed outside the patient's mouth. The intra-oral portion may be shaped for bilateral placement between the upper and lower anterior teeth or the upper and lower posterior teeth, or for unilateral placement between the upper and lower canine teeth. There are narrow indentations between the arms of the extra-oral and intra-oral portions.

Abstract: A method of improving animal health including selecting at least one L. reuteri strain, characterized by the production of .beta.-hydroxypropionaldehyde, and using the selected strain(s) along with the antibiotic, gentamycin, as an animal treatment, for example, for newly hatched poultry.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing optical illusion effects, which includes a first projection screen; an area from which persons may view the first projection screen; a stage area between the viewing area and the first projection screen; an illumination system for the stage area so that objects on the stage may be illuminated at a desired light level without directly illuminating the first screen; an inclined, partially silvered mirror between the viewing area and the stage area; a second projection screen positioned in a second plane at a first angle to the first plane, wherein the inclined mirror is positioned between the first and second planes; a first projector for projecting images on the first projection screen so that images on the first projection screen may be seen by viewers in the viewing area; a second projector for projecting images on the second projection screen so that images on the second projection screen are visible to the viewers by means of reflection from the mirror and appear to be located at

Abstract: The wire splice enclosure of the preferred embodiment provides a two-piece sealable cylindrical enclosure having a tension plate at each end formed parallel to the axis of the enclosure. Each tension plate is formed with a serpentine concave track of a size adapted to snugly receive a wire for splicing, with a hole adjacent the track inner end sized to allow the wire to snugly pass through into a chamber area. A pair of hooks within the chamber area provides support for the wire ends after splicing. The two pieces of the chamber are adapted to seal together with a quarter turn locking motion.

Abstract: An improved beverage helmet mug which contains a window area, simulating the viewing window of a helmet. The mug has a body having a liquid-holding interior area and an exterior shape simulating a particular helmet style, of a particular helmet wearer, and has a convex front side having a window area in the shape of said viewing window. A section of a photographic image, showing the eyes and surrounding facial portion of said wearer and formed in the shape and size of said window area is affixed in the window area. Surface designs on the mug simulate exterior designs on the helmet. In addition, the mug of the present invention is constructed such that it may be used with a beverage container securely and releasably held therein, with beverage contained directly by the mug, or as a collector's item.

Abstract: A package for a container of a sample such as a medical specimen, which includes a sealable absorbent envelope for holding the container as the main structural component of the package. The package also includes an impermeable layer which surrounds the sealed envelope. Preferably the package also comprises one or both of: at least one antibiotic substance, associated with the envelope, which is capable of inhibiting at least one target microorganism which may be present in the sample; and an indicator for leakage associated with the envelope.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for dewatering waste that has been collected in a sewer trap built into a tiltably mounted tank which is divided into two main chambers divided into a number of compartments. A pump is selectly connected to each main chamber to impose a pressurized atmosphere or a partial vacuum. An entry pipe connects to a suction hose outside the tank and to the first main compartment on the inside. Barriers in one main chamber are sealingly connected to the interior tank wall around the top potion and have hinged plates at a second potion. Barriers in the second main chamber are solid and sealed to the interior tank wall. A group of return pipes are adapted to return dewatered waste from the second to the first chamber and the cleaned water to the sewer line. The method taught involves drawing waste from a sewer trap into the first chamber of the tank by vacuum through the entry pipe.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel apparatus for the cleaning of an ostomy bag being worn by an ostomy patient. The cleaning apparatus of the invention is configured in three embodiments capable of fixed installation, portable use and bedside use, respectively. The apparatus of the fixed and portable embodiments provides a support for a patient at a sufficient height above a toilet bowl in the form of a platform having support bars with security stops and a chute removably hung from said platform to discharge excreta into the bowl. The fixed embodiment employs a hose for attachment to house water supply and a nozzle adapted to clean within the ostomy bag. The portable embodiment employs a reservoir which supplies pressurized water either by elevation or by use of a portable pump. The convalescent embodiment is adapted to be used at the bedside and has a fluid reservoir/portable pump, hose and a collecting tank, such as a bedpan mounted to receive the excreta being cleaned from the ostomy bag.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for the melting and subsequent solidification of fine particulate material by means of a plasma torch. The fine particulate material is introduced into a furnace having a plasma torch to a depth sufficient to cover the plasma flame produced by the torch. When operative, the torch generates a heat at low gas flow, which both allows the fine particulate material to rest with little disturbance and to transfer large amounts of heat energy to the fine particulate, effectively preheating the fine particulate material for more efficient melting. The melt may, for example, be solidified into a block for building use, into fibers by means of pressurized air passed through a venturi nozzle or into other useful forms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydroreactive magnesium mixture preparation for producing hydrogen. The preparation contains magnesium, causing generation of hydrogen, as catalyst nickel and, possibly, cobalt and/or manganese, and as additional component, zinc, which is employed as a passivating agent.

Abstract: A method of establishing direct feed microorganisms such as Lactobacillus reuteri in the gastrointestinal tract of avian organisms, in which the direct feed microorganisms are added to whey and fed in the form of pellets (compacted whey particles) to the organisms.

Abstract: A controllable length conveyor suitable for use in a packaging machine comprises a pair of conveyor belts which are continuously driven in a given direction at a selected speed. The conveyor belts are mounted on a reciprocable frame and are arranged such that the product being conveyed resides between the belts and a run of each belt firmly engages and transports the product. The belt runs engaging the product can be made to extend and retract in correspondence with the product reaching a succeeding stage of packaging such as sealing.

Abstract: A method is disclosed in which a plasma arc torch is used to vitrify and remediate a site containing contaminated soils, resulting from a hazardous material deposit or spill, or contaminated buried objects. The contaminated earthen material or subterranean deposit is pyrolyzed, melted or solidified by the plasma torch which is energized at the bottom of a cased, vertical borehole, and then gradually raised to the surface. An array of boreholes, appropriately spaced, will remediate an entire mass of contaminated material. Similarly, burled objects such as metal drums containing contaminants and underground storage tanks may be selectively remediated at their specific buried depth. Similar use is made of the plasma torch in a second embodiment with the additional step of processing at selected underground locations in the borehole array to create a sealed horizontal layer, vertical cutoff walls or a sealed basin as a barrier against further leaching of contaminants into surrounding soil and groundwater.