Abstract: A one piece protector for the machined surface of a flange for pipes and valves which may be installed and removed by finger pressure on integral thimbles which frictionally engage the bores of the bolt holes of the flange.

Abstract: An electrostatic water treatment system in which the high voltage d.c. supply for the charging electrode is alternately turned on and off at lower and upper voltage limits and is turned off whenever the current exceeds the desired value. The alternating voltage produced by the on-off operation of the high voltage supply is utilized to check the control circuit and provide an indication whenever the circuit is operating improperly.

Abstract: A concrete block wall panel with mortarless joints in which the blocks are held together by steel strapping and are reinforced by external coatings of glass fiber cement. The walls are handled by pick up rods extending through the panel from top to bottom. A swivel fitting is attached to the upper end of each rod and a pick up base engaging the bottom of the panel is screwed on the lower end of each rod. After the panel is set in a bed of mortar embedding the bases, the pick rods are unscrewed and the swivels are removed.

Abstract: A baby feeder having a cover for replacing the closure of a jar of baby food and providing a spoon access opening. The feeder is usable by adults and babies.

Abstract: A check valve having a piston with a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than the body which closes a bleeder port at running temperatures and opens the bleeder port when flow stops or when the valve cools. A body of brass and a piston of filled TFE is a preferred combination.

Abstract: An inverted type syringe for use with a vial having a stopper piston closing at one end of the vial. Complementary male and female connectors on the upper end of the hub and the adjacent portion of the piston establish a push or pull connection between the piston and the hub. As the connectors are engaged, the piston is punctured so pressure on the vial causes ejection of the contents.

Abstract: A pan for preparing hot submarine sandwiches and the like comprising a thin rectangular metal sheet with contiguous angular corrugations open at the tops and ends and each holding a single sandwich while it is being made up and also while it is being heated. The metal is so thin that it heats up and cools down very quickly so most of the heat goes into the sandwiches and the pan cools down and is ready for reuse very soon after the hot sandwiches have been unloaded.

Abstract: A monolithic ceramic capacitor having fritless electrodes of nickel or other base metal particles coated with a precious metal such as platinum. The coating may be very thin and typically applied by electroless plating and/or electroplating. The particles may be used as the sole pigment for the electrodes or the particles may be mixed with other compatible pigments.

Abstract: A box which can be injection molded flat, erected in the field, and when empty knocked down for return shipment. Features include improved structure for holding the parts assembled and for withstanding the stresses of handling, shipping and storage.

Abstract: An inverted type syringe for use with a vial having a stopper piston closing at one end of the vial. Complementary male and female connectors on the upper end of the hub and the adjacent portion of the piston establish a push or pull connection between the piston and the hub. As the connectors are engaged, the piston is punctured so pressure on the vial causes ejection of the contents.

Abstract: A syringe using a pre-filled vial as its barrel and the vial stopper as its piston for expelling liquid from the vial. The stopper has a fill opening large enough to serve as a vent during filling and a plug sealed in said opening after filling. The plug has a puncturable diaphragm for establishing communication between the liquid contents of the vial and the needle of the syringe.

Abstract: A game having a projectile coated with burr type material and a target to which the burr material adheres. In a preferred form the projectile is a ball having two wheel elements intersecting in planes at right angles to each other and provided with burr coated rims. A single wheel element may be used as a dart or slingshot projectile.

Abstract: A gas pressure bonding furnace having a convection shield with (1) monolithic tubular refractory insulation having its upper end surrounding the work receiving hot zone of the furnace and its lower end depending to a cool zone, (2) an impervious tubular metal shell surrounding the tubular insulation and holding it under compression by differential thermal expansion, (3) a cover closing the top of the shell by a gas tight gasket seal and (4) a piston actuated by the gas working pressure to hold the cover closed. In a preferred form, the insulation is cast in the shell and the composition is an alumina cement with embedded alumina balloons.

Abstract: A solid state dimmer for fluorescent lights with standard (non-dimming) ballasts. Dimming is adjusted by changing the resistance in a capacitor charging circuit. Features include a trimming adjustment for eliminating flicker, a voltage regulator compensating for line voltage change, a sequential switch which allows the lamp to heat up before being dimmed, and a diode varistor, zener thyrector or the like in the charging circuit which supply additional charging current as the dimming is increased. The dimmer mounts in the same outlet box as a conventional toggle switch and can be substituted for the switch in an existing installation without changing the ballast. The dimmer is also useful for other loads requiring a variable voltage.