Abstract: A washing apparatus includes a bubbling wash section for impinging bubbles in washing liquid to a material such as a machined work to be washed so as to remove solids such as sludges and oils adhered to the material to be washed, and a sludge removal and oily water separation section for removing sludges or the like mixed with the washing liquid at the bubbling wash section and for separating oily water in the washing liquid, the washing liquid passed through said sludge removal and oily water separation section being returned to the initial bubbling wash section for circulation. An activated carbon filtration section for connection with the bubbling wash section is optionally provided.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a predetermined quantity of food articles, such as frozen french fries, frozen chicken pieces, cheese sticks, and the like, having a support structure supporting a hopper, the hopper having a storage area positioned over an exit opening and a dispenser drum between the storage area and the exit opening. The dispenser drum is rotatably mounted in the hopper between two end walls on the hopper. The dispenser drum has an axis of rotation, a sealing lip at a first radius perpendicular to the axis of rotation and a catching lip at a second radius perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The second radius is longer than the first radius creating a non-cylindrical shaped dispenser drum. A diverter is pivotally mounted in the hopper. The diverter is positioned to be bumped by the dispenser drum to jostle food articles in the storage area. A driver portion is mounted on the support structure to engage and rotate the dispenser drum about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A dimensionally stable and static dissipative carrier for semiconductor wafers or magnetic storage disks that has exceptionally low particle generation characteristics. The carrier having opposing side walls and connecting walls, the side walls having ribs defining slots for axial arrangement of the disks or wafers. The side walls, ribs, and end walls are all integral and formed of injection molded polybutyl terephtahalate (PBT) with sufficient carbon fiber filler for a surface resistivity less than 10.sup.12 ohms per square.

Abstract: A single-piston, multimode fluid displacement pump comprising an elongated chamber, a piston reciprocally mounted within the chamber, a driving mechanism axially aligned with the chamber and piston for accurately positioning the piston within the chamber so as to define a measured fluid displacement, and ports for aspirating and dispensing fluid.

Abstract: A fodder contains lipids having a low melting point, especially a fodder for aquatic organisms, wherein the lipids are carried within a crystalline structure formed by other lipids, emulsifiers or a mixture of lipids and emulsifiers. A method for making said fodder, wherein into the lipids firstly is mixed an additive component cooperating with the lipids, and forming a mixture which is at least partly crystalized at the fodder's highest temperature of use and storage. The mixture is added at elevated temperature to porous pellets, and the subsequent cooling brings the mixture into a crystalized state.

Abstract: A wrist support band for use in the treatment of wrist ailments. The wrist support band provides support to the wrist while at the same time allows mobility of the wrist. The wrist support band includes an elastic sleeve that contains a flexible mold support. The mold support incorporates two elongated protuberances and a central recess intermediate the protuberances. The sleeve is slid over the hand and wrist until the elongated protuberances are proximate the wrist's proximal carpal row. At least one strap is wrapped about the sleeve to hold the sleeve and mold support in position firmly against the wrist. The interior of the sleeve may also be equipped with an anti-slip patch to prevent the sleeve from sliding up and down the wrist or forearm.

Abstract: A data storage library for storing and accessing data storage media, consisting of a housing, a storage array within the housing, the storage array having a wall, a media storage element arranged adjacent the storage array wall for holding storage media, a data transfer element arranged adjacent the storage array wall for reading and writing information on the storage media, an import/export element to transfer the storage media into and out of the data storage library, and a media transport element which moves along the storage array wall, the media transport element following any deviations in the wall to precisely position itself adjacent the media storage element and data transfer element.

Abstract: A two-piece inflatable kite is made from configured, mirror imaged top and bottom polyester films which are heat sealed about their peripheral edge. Integrally extending from the edges forwardly and rearwardly are string connecting tabs formed from the top and bottom films. The tabs support reinforced apertures for attaching the kite string bridle. The top and bottom film portions also form a valve for adding air into and out of an air tight compartment within the kite. The air tight compartment also forms the wings of the kite.

Abstract: An electrical foam heating element made by the process of forming a volume of reticulated silicon carbide foam material into a preferred shape, heating the material to a temperature of about 1000.degree. C. for a period of 24-30 hours, forming conductive edges over two respectively facing edge surfaces, applying an electrically-conductive felt material against the respective conductive faces, and clamping foam volume and foam between two electrically-conductive electrodes. In another embodiment, a region of nickel foam material is provided between the respective electrodes and the silicon carbide interior, and intermediate felt layers are provided between the nickel foam and the silicon carbide foam, and between the nickel foam and the electrodes. The layered felt material is of three-layer construction: inner and outer layers of electrically-conductive felt separated by an interior metal foil layer.

Abstract: A xenon light assembly having a gas filled glass tube bent into a suitable shape and mounted to a base pedestal material. A glass dome is sized and mounted to seal and fit over the glass tube and about the base pedestal to provide a weather seal for the glass tube and to provide a superior color filtration to the light produced by the lamp.

Abstract: A batting practice device is attachable to any of various existing permanent fixtures, suitably a post. The device includes a mounting bracket attachable to the fixture, the bracket supporting a receiving tube. The tube has an opening for interlockably receiving a rod with a portion extending from the bracket in a cantilevered horizontal fashion. A metal bushing is rotatably mounted and captured on the rod portion extending from the plate. A piece of rope has a first and second end. A ball is provided. The first end of the rope is affixed to the ball. The second end is secured to the bushing.

Abstract: A pipe tractor is adapted to run internally in channels and pipes in that the pipe tractor's end pieces are counterrotating and provided with resilient arms to which are attached inclined wheels resting against the inner surface of the pipe, wherein lateral force acting on the wheels gives propulsion to the pipe tractor when the end pieces rotate.

Abstract: A container for semiconductor wafers is disclosed which has a multiplicity of C-shaped wafer holders for individually securing each wafer. Each wafer holder has an open side for receiving and releasing wafers, a closed side with a support portion for supporting the wafer holder in the container. A pair of resilient arcuate arms, each with seating portions and manipulation arms, extend more than 180.degree. around the wafer for retaining the wafers in any orientation.

Abstract: A box pallet having an open top, side plates and a bottom plate for surrounding the box pallet on four sides and a bottom, the bottom plate being divided into two bottom plate parts and being assembled to move in a downward direction for opening and closing, the box pallet including an actuation arm vertically pivotally supported by two opposite side plates, an interlocking member provided for interlocking between the actuation arm and the two divided bottom plate parts so as to permit opening and closing movement of the bottom plate parts, an actuation rod horizontally supported such that the actuation rod can change its position between a position on a pivotal locus of the actuation arm and a position out of the pivotal locus of the actuation arm and is engageable with and disengageable from the actuation rod, the bottom plate parts being held to be closed when the actuation rod is in engagement with the actuation arm, and the bottom plate parts being permitted to be opened when the actuation rod is in dise

Abstract: The invention concerns a hair treatment method using a hair treatment liquid having been electrolytically treated by passing current through hair. The hair treatment method features applying a hair treatment liquid to hair and electrolytically treating the applied hair treatment liquid by passing current through the hair. The invention also concerns a hair treatment tool which is substantially made of an insulating material and features that an anode electrode bar and a cathode electrode bar both connected to a power supply are disposed such as to be in contact with hair, the hair having been imparted with conductivity being pinched between the two electrode bars to pass current through the pinched hair.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dynamic encryption of information including data, voice, and graphics, consisting of a random access memory containing encryption and decryption programs and the information to be encrypted and decrypted, an encryption processor executing the encryption and decryption programs, the encryption and decryption programs being a code set whose members are distinct encryption/decryption codes executed serially by the encryption processor to encrypt and decrypt the information, and also being optionally repetitively executed, and a data set in the random access memory specifying the order and execution and number of repetitions of each member of the code set.

Abstract: A batting practice device is attachable to any of various existing permanent fixtures. The device includes a mounting bracket attachable to the fixture, the bracket supporting a receiving tube. The tube has two opposing openings for interlockably receiving a rod with a portion extending from the bracket in a cantilevered horizontal fashion. A first metal support plate is transversely mounted on the rod portion extending from the bracket. A tire has a tread face and an inside wall. The tread face abuts the metal plate. A second metal support plate is located on the inside wall aligned with the first plate as to sandwich and support the tire for hitting the tire with a bat.

Abstract: A binary digital image feature extracting process whereby a number of elementary portions of predetermined shape are defined in a binary digital matrix; in each elementary portion, a number of analysis directions are defined at a predetermined angle in relation to the edges of the elementary portion; a number of paths are defined, each formed by an orderly set of pixels arranged at least approximately parallel to a respective analysis direction; for each path, the pixels presenting a predetermined characteristic definable by one or more whole numbers are determined; the numbers are converted by a nonlinear function to calculate a number of partial scores which are then grouped to give an overall score for each path; and the overall scores of the various paths are grouped according to the analysis direction to calculate a directional feature for each analysis direction.