Abstract: Energy losses from market refrigerated display cases, which are normally open, can be dramatically reduced by use of an access shield according to the present invention. The access shield comprises a plurality of transparent and resilient panels, each panel being adjacent to at least one other and having an overlapping relationship with the adjacent panel. The panels may be mounted in a rigid frame and allow access therethrough by stretching and bending of one or more of the panels along the overlapped line. The plurality of panels may also be fitted to a spring-tensioned roller and stretched across the aperture of the refrigerated display case. In another embodiment, the plurality of panels may each be attached at an opposite end to a holder having a bow tie shaped protrusion which is urged into a receiving indentation in a fixture to temporarily lock the panel in a predetermined position and yet to permit free rotation within a sector to facilitate access. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spacing device for use with a ruler or other straightedge to aid handwriting of a neat and tidy appearance. The device comprises a resilient spacing member mounted on or in a writing implement and adapted to maintain under a first degree of manual pressure a predetermined distance between a writing point of the writing implement and an edge of a stationary ruler device positioned on a surface to be written upon, said spacing member being movable under a second, increased, degree of manual pressure to reduce the distance by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A videocassette storage case for accommodating either Beta or VHS type videocassettes. The case has a generally rectangular shape and includes a hinged cover on its top. The interior of the case generally conforms in size to a VHS cassette, and the videocassette is held securely within the case by the hinged cover. An insert having an L-shaped surface may be positioned within the case to define a space which generally conforms in size to a Beta type videocassette. By using the insert, a Beta videocassette may be securely held within the case in the same fashion as is a VHS cassette. A window may be included for viewing the title of the cassette.

Abstract: A structure for an underwater nuclear power generating plant comprising a triangular platform formed of tubular leg and truss members upon which are attached one or more large spherical pressure vessels and one or more small cylindrical auxiliary pressure vessels.

Abstract: This invention relates to marking instruments having a uniquely configured nib assembly. The nib assembly comprises an elongated nib, a tip adapter having a first bore and second bore formed therein, the first bore open to the proximal end of the adapter and the second bore open to the distal end of the adapter. A sleeve extends into the first bore and is retained therein. The sleeve has an opening formed along the length thereof with the nib extending through the opening and beyond the distal end of the adapter. The opening and the second bore of the adapter are configured such that the nib is prevented from being pushed back up into the assembly.

Abstract: A retaining assembly for food packages or the like including a hollow support member having a front opening and a mounting bracket near the opening. A generally V-shaped clip has a curved resilient back leg which passes through the opening and is compressed against the back wall of the support member. The clip includes a front leg which is pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket. The front leg includes an outwardly extending portion located beyond the pivot point, which is clamped against the front of the support member by the action of the back leg.

Abstract: A nebulizer and heater system for delivering a heated aerosol spray to a patient. The nebulizer includes a nebulization chamber where an aerosol spray is formed and a subsequent heating chamber. Large liquid particles are collected in a well formed in the heating chamber. The heater is configured such that it can easily be joined to and removed from the nebulizer. The heater has a heating rod which extends into the well and heats the liquid collected therein. The heated liquid, in turn, heats the aerosol as it passes through the heating chamber.

Abstract: A polyurethane gripping material for hand held implements. The material is an adhesive backed polyurethane sheet which includes a plurality of small pores on the surface of the sheet. The pores are formed by sprinkling salt on the surface of the sheet while it is in a softened state. The sheet is then cured and sanded down to expose and remove some of the salt granules. Many small pores are exposed by the removal of the salt. The pores act as suction cups to increase the performance of the grip.

Abstract: An improved blood oxygenator including a first chamber having a plurality of oxygenator tubes disposed therein with each tube having an elongated cross-section. A blood inlet for introducing blood and a oxygen inlet for introducing oxygen gas into the blood are located on the oxygenator such that a mixture of blood and oxygen flows through the tubes where the blood is oxygenated. A blood foam exits from the tubes and then flows through a ring of reticulated polyurethane causing the blood to be further oxygenated. A defoamer is disposed about the first chamber and defoams the blood. The blood is then filtered and collected in a reservoir and can be withdrawn from the oxygenator through a blood outlet port.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of the formula: ##STR1## including derivatives thereof. The subject compounds have been found to be particularly useful as cationic emulsifiers and exhibit many desirable properties in connection with personal care compositions.

Abstract: A ceramic substrate having a convex portion formed singly or plurally on the end faces of the circumference of the substrate so as to bring the convex portions into collision with each other prior to direct collision of the substrates with each other for the purpose of effectively preventing damage due to eventual collision of the end faces of the substrates with each other or corner portions during transfer to an assembling station by an automatic feeding means such as a sloping tray.

Abstract: A connector plug having special utility in the electrical musical instrument field is disclosed. The plug comprises a body having first and second elongated electrodes extending outwardly therefrom. The first electrode is slideably disposed in the second electrode and electrically isolated from the second electrode along the length thereof. Means are provided in the body for urging the distal ends of the first and second electrodes into electrical engagement in the rest position. When the plug is joined to an associated jack, however, the distal ends of the electrodes are caused to disengage so as to electrically isolate the electrodes from each other. By the use of the device of the present invention, problems of undesirable noise being generated when activating an electrical musical instrument or like device is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: An endotracheal intubation device which enables the user to simultaneously apply suction during the intubation process is disclosed. The device comprises a first elongated, flexible tube having an insertion tip at one end thereof designed for insertion into the nasopharnyx, orpharnyx and trachea of a newborn baby. A second elongated, flexible tube is slideably disposed about the first tube. The second tube has an insertion tip at one end thereof and grip means adjacent the other end. The second tube further has various means for shaping the second tube into a predetermined configuration such that the second tube and the first tube are both selectively retained in such configuration. By the use of the device of the present invention, the same suction device can be used to expedite the suction of material such as meconium from the oral, nasogastric and trachea region.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a main reservoir for water and at least one secondary reservoir for an additive material. Both reservoirs are connected to a mixing chamber which is connected to independent segments of a spray distribution bank via separate pipes. A pump pumps the additive material to the mixing chamber. A driving mechanism responsive to the speed of the vehicle drives the pump as a function of the speed of the vehicle and thereby effects a first regulation of the flow of additive material to the mixing chamber. A valve is interposed between the secondary reservoir and the mixing chamber for effecting a second regulation of the flow of additive material to the mixing chamber as a function of the number of segments of the spray distribution bank in use.

Abstract: A steam distribution apparatus includes a first header having an inlet for steam and a plurality of discrete outlets for steam arranged along the header. The outlets increase in size with distance from the inlet. A first chamber surrounds the first header to receive steam from the outlets in the first header. There are first, relatively large outlets in the first chamber. The relative positions of the first header and the first chamber ensure that steam leaving the plurality of outlets in the first header impinges on the interior of the chamber and must travel around the chamber to reach the first outlets in the first chamber. A second chamber communicates with the first outlets from the first chamber. There are outlets in the second chamber. A shrouding is positionable above a paper web and communicates with the elongate outlets in said second chamber. The apparatus permits uniform steam flow along the entire length of the distributor.

Abstract: A nebulizer device for producing an aerosol spray via a flow of gas at varying oxygen concentrations is disclosed. The nebulizer device comprises a body defining an initial nebulization chamber, a subsequent baffling chamber and a venturi formed therebetween. Air intake ports are disposed on the body adjacent the nebulization chamber for providing the nebulization chamber with air in predetermined quantities. Regulating means are disposed about the nebulization chamber for regulating the flow of the air through the intake ports. An aerosol system for producing an aerosol of fine particles of liquid is located in the nebulization chamber upstream of the venturi such that the flow of the aerosol spray through the venturi encourages the atmospheric fluid to enter the device through the intake ports thereby diluting the aerosol. The venturi is located downstream of the intake ports and increases the flow rate of the atmospheric fluid through the intake ports.

Abstract: A scrubber device for removing finely divided contaminants from a gas stream is disclosed. The device comprises first and second conduits each of which has an inlet and an outlet with nozzle means and flow guide means disposed adjacent the end of each outlet. The nozzles are configured such that the flow path of the discharge of the first conduit intersects the flow path of the discharge of the second conduit. The flow guide means are configured so as to regulate the flow path of the gas stream through each conduit such that a collision zone is created thereinbetween. Further, the flow guides act so as to improve the collection efficiency of the scrubber. In this manner, contaminants in each respective stream are caused to be removed by inertial impaction. By the use of the scrubber device of the present invention, even finely divided contaminants in the order of 0.1 microns diameter to 3 microns diameter can be removed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an endosseous implant for use in dental and orthopedic treatment. The implant is a composite structure made of a combination of an outer ceramic member and an inner ceramic core member bonded together by glass cement. After being implanted, new bone tissue and new connective tissue penetrate into the outer member to form a net-like root structure therein, thereby increasing the stability of the implant and at the same time the outer member is reinforced by the inner core member.

Abstract: A membrane device having particular utility as a blood oxygenator is disclosed. The device comprises a housing having an oxygen inlet and outlet, a blood inlet and outlet, and a water inlet and outlet. A plurality of blood modules and water modules are arranged in a predetermined configuration in the housing. Each of the blood modules is in flow communication with the blood inlet and outlet on the housing and defines a flow path for the blood through the housing and across each of the blood modules. The water modules are in flow communication with the water inlet and outlet on the housing and define a flow path for the water through the housing and across each of the water modules. The blood modules and water modules are arranged and configured in a specific and predetermined configuration so as to form a pathway for introducing oxygen between adjacent modules.