Abstract: There is disclosed an edge-lit multiple image display device. The device utilizes a plurality of internal-reflecting-light sheets which are provided in a stacked array. Images are formed on the surfaces of the sheets with a coating of a material that changes the density on the internally reflecting surface of its respective sheet. A light source is provided to illuminate the edges of the stacked array of sheets, with a light shield that can be moved to selectively direct the light to one edge at a time of the edges of the sheets in the stack. As the light shield is moved to selectively and alternatingly illuminate the edges of selected sheets in the stacked array, the images displayed on each of the edge-lit plates becomes illuminated, appearing and then disappearing as the light source is applied and then removed from the edge of its respective plate. This can be used to provide an animated display.

Abstract: There is disclosed a document holder having a clip to secure one or several pages of a document, supporting the pages in a convenient position adjacent a computer keyboard, typewriter, and the like. The document holder has a universal base which is formed of first and second angle members that are joined along their vertical surfaces to form a channel. The horizontal sides are grooved their entire length and receive a coextensive relatively stiff but resilient strap. Each of the straps receives a continuous band of an elastic and resilient cushion that is coextensive its length. The angle members are joined with screw fasteners extending through aligned apertures in the vertical sides of the angles with the apertures of at least one of the angle members being elongated to provide adjustability in the width of the assembled channel of the base.

Abstract: Disclosed is a machine for moving bakery pans in a stepwise fashion to enable rows of cups in the pans to be filled with dough packets. The rows of cups are spaced apart a predetermined distance which will vary depending upon the type of bakery product being made. The pans are carried by a converter and an indexing device is used to prevent these pans from being moved by the conveyor until individual rows of cups are filled with dough packets. The indexing device includes a helical arm mounted on a shaft which is removably coupled to an indexing motor that revolves the shaft through a 360.degree. turn and then momentarily stops to enable the cups to be filled with dough packets. The flights of the arm are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing between rows of cups, with each flight having an edge which will engage a raised lip along the perimeter of the pan. The edge of the flight bearing against the lip of the pan prevents the pan from moving until the arm is rotated.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for treatment of an oil slick resulting from an oil spill on a body of water. The oil slick is treated with a granular elastomeric gum comprising a block copolymer of ethylene/butylene and styrene. The treatment material has a low density, typically from 14 to about 15 pounds per cubic foot and will absorb oil and form a dry solid which has a non-tacky and non-oily surface. The copolymer granular elastomeric gum is broadcast on the surface of an oil slick in proportions from about 0.2 to about 1 part per weight part of oil. The wave action on the body of water is generally sufficiently turbulent to admix the absorbent with the oil of the oil slick, resulting in the formation of floating solids which are dry to the touch and which have a non-oily, non-tacky surface. These solids can be readily recovered from the water or from a shoreline after they have washed ashore.

Abstract: There is disclosed a motor vehicle control system having a vehicle control unit located in the motor vehicle and a hand held portable control unit, which are in two-way communication. The vehicle control unit which is located in the motor vehicle includes a receiving antenna, a receiver, a decoder and a plurality of functional control circuits, with each control circuit for a respective functional operation of the motor vehicle such as ignition, starter activation, heater, air conditioner, door locks, etc. The control unit in the motor vehicle also includes a transmitter and a scanner unit which has a like plurality of sensors for sensing the condition of the various functional operations such as the ignition, engine operation, air conditioner status, heater status, etc. The control unit transmits a radio frequency signal to the remote control unit, which indicates the condition of the sensed operations. The remote control unit has an antenna and receiver with an audio amplifier and speaker.

Abstract: There is disclosed a stable thixotropic suspension of water insoluble animal feed nutrients in an aqueous feed solution and a method for its preparation. The method comprises forming a liquid gel from an aqueous solution of sugar, protein or mixtures thereof, having a concentration of at least 60.degree. Brix, by adding calcium hyroxide and phosphoric acid or ammonium polyphosphate to the solution. The gel is diluted with water and insoluble feed nutrients such as fat, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, etc., or drugs such as monisan are suspended in the diluted gel. Water soluble feed nutrients such as urea, sodium bicarbonate, etc., can also be added.

Abstract: There is disclosed a golf putter having a unique shape that improves putting performance. The putter has a more or less conventional head with a flat, ball-striking surface. The metallic shaft of the putter has a rectangular cross section and the front surface, and preferably the rear surface of the shaft, has a highly visible band to indicate to the user whether the putter face is open, closed, or properly aligned. The shaft can be tapered and is rectangular in cross section and terminates with a handle which is also rectangular in cross section. The preferred putter has front surfaces for the handle, shaft and putter face which are parallel. Most preferably, the rear surfaces of the handle, shaft and putter face are also parallel and, most preferably, are also co-planar, thereby permitting reversal of the putter between left and right handed players.

Abstract: There is disclosed a containment tray which is formed of plastic which is molded into a tray having upright perimeter walls and a bottom wall having transverse channels in its undersurface for receiving the conventional arms of a forklift or pallet jack. The tray can be formed by vacuum thermal forming, in which case it is used in combination with a platform insert formed by a pair of beams which are received within the tray and which support transverse rails thereby forming an upper platform. Alternatively, the tray can be rotationally molded and the raised platform can be molded into the tray in the form of a plurality of upstanding plugs. In either embodiment, the upper planar surface of the raised platform is positioned above the level of the upper edges of the side walls of the tray whereby a conventional forklift can deposit loads of containers mounted on standard wooden pallets onto the raised platform of the tray, and remove those pallets, when desired.

Abstract: Disclosed is a valve operator which includes a spindle screwed into a sleeve that is seated in a cavity within the housing of the valve operator. The sleeve has a pair of openings therein and the housing has a pair of grooves in its walls. A pair of roller elements, each one seated in a groove and extending through an opening in the sleeve, provide a clutch mechanism. The spindle has recesses which receive the roller elements when the roller elements are aligned therewith. Initial rotation of the spindle within the sleeve causes the sleeve to move linearly until the roller elements are adjacent the recesses, whereupon further rotation of the spindle results in rotation of the sleeve, with the roller elements moving from the groove into the recesses to allow rotation of the sleeve.

Abstract: A method of filling a balloon with articles and air wherein a container having a removeable cover having an outlet pipe therein the latter is evacuated after the opening of a balloon is attached to said pipe within the container to thereby expand the balloon and permit articles to be placed therewithin through the pipe. A stopper is then placed in the pipe and the air pump shut off whereby the end of the balloon can be tied off.

Abstract: Disclosed is an overshoe including a sole section, shoe section, and ankle cover section having a flap which folds inwardly towards the inside ankle of the user. The flap is detachably secured in position by a fastener which is covered by the flap upon being folded inwardly.

Abstract: There is disclosed a releasable closure for a container which is particularly suitable for plastic bags. The closure is formed by a pair of opposed bands of static cling vinyl film, preferably polyvinyl chloride, which extend along the mouth of the container and which are permanently secured thereto. The bands of static cling vinyl extend inwardly, into the container where they form internal flaps that are coextensive the length of the mouth of the container, thereby forming internal flaps within the bag. These internal flaps provide the pressure resistant capability of the resealable closure, permitting it to retain its fluid-tight characteristic against internal pressures.

Abstract: A wall bed is disclosed employing a linkage assembly which moves the wall bed outwardly from a wall or cabinet in a fashion so that the head end of the bed will not be in the cavity and the level of the mattress will be at a height which approximately corresponds to the height of conventional beds. Three counter-balancing spring assemblies are disclosed. One employs an angle member which connects extension springs to the bed base so that they are contained within a compact structure which is received within the cavity. The second employs a linkage assembly having short and long links pivotably connected to each other by their ends, with an extension spring connected to the short link and a mounting frame. The third employs a linkage assembly with extension springs that neutralize the counter-balancing force when the wall bed is open to eliminate floating. A headboard is also provided which may be tilted rearwardly or positioned at a right angle to the sleeping surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a braking system for a spool of coiled wire used in a welding machine. The braking system includes a spindle mounted to the machine to rotate freely. The spindle has a braking surface and it has mounted to it an annular brake member having teeth around its circumference and a braking surface which engages the braking surface on the spindle. The two braking surfaces frictionally coupled the spindle and brake member together so they rotate as a unit. The braking surfaces slide relative to each other through a predetermined rotational distance when the rotation of the brake member is stopped abruptly. A solenoid actuated pawl engages one of the teeth of the brake member to stop this member, allowing the spindle to rotate through a limited rotational distance of, for example, a maximium of about twenty degrees of rotation.