Abstract: A disposable shaver having a unified handle and shaving lubricant container including in one embodiment a slideable manually operated plunger for expelling the shaving lubricant therefrom, and including in a preferred embodiment, such container having manually collapsable, corrugated walls for dispensing the shaving lubricant therefrom.

Abstract: The improved pre-loaded valve follower sealing apparatus comprises a follower ring and flange insert assembly. The assembly includes a pair of hollow cylinders compressively containing a follower preload and sealing element. That follower preload and sealing element is substantially annular in shape, but has an interior fluid contacting surface which is concave in transverse cross-section when not under compression, but which is rendered substantially smoothly cylindrical when placed under compression.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved methods for increasing the effective contact area of electrodes during the electrocoating process. One preferred embodiment of such methods comprises the first step of coating a non-conductive workpiece with a conductive primer. Next, the areas surrounding the respective contact areas for the electrocoat electrodes are coated with a contact area coating composition having greater electroconductivity then that of the conductive primer. Next, the coating electrodes are fixed on the contact areas for electrocoating. The workpiece is then submerged into an electrocoating bath, and finally sufficient electrical change is applied to the prepared workpiece to electrocoat the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved conductive primer composition and methods. In the improved methods aspect of the present invention, a non-conductive polymeric component is precoated with a primer to render it electroconductive in preparation for electrocoating. Next, the primed polymeric component is assembled with a conductive matallic component to form a multi-material workpiece. Finally, the formed workpiece is submerged in an electrocoat bath for simultaneously electrocoating both the primed polymeric component and the conductive metallic component. In some preferred embodiments, the workpiece may be an automobile chassis.In the improved electroconductive primer compositions aspect of the present invention, such compositions comprise a dispersion of approximately 70% to 90% of a polymeric resinous binder which will cure to form a film, approximately 10% to 30% of a conductive carbon pigment, approximately 0.2 to 0.

Abstract: The improved adjustable combustion rate air/fuel proportioned burner of the present invention includes an air chamber housing with a plurality of air exit holes therein, a fuel gas tube disposed within the air chamber housing having a wall which is generally coextensive with the wall of the air chamber housing and having gaseous fuel openings therein, and a rotatable face plate covering a portion of such coextensive wall and having openings therein substantially corresponding in shape, size and location to the air exit openings and gaseous fuel openings in such coextensive wall. The improved adjustable combustion rate air/fuel proportioned burner of the present invention functions by means of rotation of the rotatable face plate to expose a selected and variable cross-sectional area of the air exit openings and gaseous fuel openings simultaneously to maintain a pre-selected ratio of air to fuel gas for the burning thereof.

Abstract: The improved incinerator apparatus of the present invention is particularly applicable in the purification of air contaminated with volatilized solvents, and functions through the use of a venturi within the assembly which imposes a low pressure drop while simultaneously obtaining a high degree of turbulence and mixing of the primary fuel with the effluent waste gas being incinerated. The incinerator apparatus of the present invention comprises a solvent vapor conduit for directing a stream of air containing solvent vapors in a first longitudinal direction to be redirected into a venturi. The venturi is preferably disposed within the solvent vapor conduit. A supplemental fuel injector is disposed within the central bore of the venturi to provide gaseous fuel through the central bore to comingle with the solvent vapor containing air for ignition, to provide a sustainable flame for burning the volatilized solvent in the air and thereby to provide air free of such solvent vapors.

Abstract: A medicated shampoo composition for treating scalp disorders comprising a safe and effective combination of pharmacologically active ingredients is disclosed. The active ingredients comprise between approximately 0.1% but less than approximately 0.5% by weight of a hydrocortisone in combination with between approximately 2.5% but less than approximately 5.0% by weight of colloidal sulfur disposed in an appropriate shampoo base. Preferred embodiments also include approximately 0.1% to approximately 0.5% by weight of salicylic acid as a catalyst for the colloidal sulfur and as a local mild semi-irritant.

Abstract: The improved methods of the present invention function to detackify, float, substantially concentrate, separate, and remove such floating solid materials comprising paint solids from the surface of a volume of spray booth liquid, generally comprising water. In some embodiments, the method may be practiced using apparatus functing in two stages. In other embodiments, a single stage may be utilized. In the first or preliminary concentration stage, the apparatus is directed to a treatment volume that is disposed adjacent an untreated volume of liquid. An entry means is disposed therebetween for flow of the surface portion of the untreated volume thereover. A baffle is disposed across the treatment volume and extends to a depth beneath the surface to permit the flow of the liquid thereunder, but to entrain the flow of solid paint materials and to channel the flow of solid materials into a take-off chamber over a take-off weir.

Abstract: A disposable shaver having a unified handle and shaving lubricant container including in one embodiment a slideable manually operated plunger for expelling the shaving lubericant therefrom, and including in a preferred alternative embodiment, such container having manually collapsable, corrugated walls for dispensing the shaving lubricant therefrom.

Abstract: The improved vehicle body surface repair patch assembly of the present invention is suitable for use in conjunction with a vehicle body surface repair compound, and includes a thin and relatively rigid plate which may be of metal or plastic and which is perforated to receive in such perforations the vehicle body surface repair compound to provide substantial thickness and accordingly enhanced strength to the repair patch. Adhesive coating means are disposed on the back surface of the perforated sheet, and mesh means preferably formed of fiberglass mesh are secured to the front surface of the perforated plate to receive, to support and to hold the vehicle body surface repair compound, thereby to provide a matchingly contoured surface with that of the vehicle body surface to be repaired.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved membrane switch of the kind comprising a polymeric overlay, which is generally planar and containing designated switch areas thereon for manual operation of pressure. The switch is formed from several layers of conductive and nonconductive materials. Specifically, the switch includes a pair of electronic switch circuit leads disposed in noncontacting proximity. A substantially planar circuit completing layer formed to corresponded with the pair of switch circuit leads is formed from conductive material and disposed and spaced array substantially parallel to the switch circuit leads. A nonconductive spacer is disposed, in one preferred embodiment, between the electric circuit and the circuit completing layer, with the spacer having a plurality of apertures therein of a selected density sufficient to provide a selected touch pressure.

Abstract: The improved positive pullback synchro valve actuator of the present invention comprises a universal cam assembly having a frame supporting a deformable cam strip which is operatively connected to a plurality of contour adjustment screws and which may be adjusted to form the desired shape of the cam. The cam strip is further operatively connected to a plunger which is disposed for movement transversely of the cam strip and in the longitudinal direction. The apparatus is positive in its pullback, as the plunger is linked to the universal cam assembly, such that when the operator turns the universal cam assembly, there is assurance that the associated valve is closed. In some applications, the plunger may be connected to a shaft yoke which is disposed transversely of the plunger for converting the longitudinal movement into limited reciprocal rotational movement. In these embodiments, the shaft yoke engages a valve shaft which is urged by such yoke into limited reciprocal rotational movement.

Abstract: A method of lubricating a railroad track comprising the steps of dispersing together a mixture of at least 30% by weight of powdered graphite having an average particle size of not larger than 50 microns, and an oil based carrier to yield a viscosity of approximately 25,000 centipoise at standard temperature and pressure; applying said dispersion to a railroad track and pressure fixing to form a film like coating thereon.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved membrane switch of the kind comprising a polymeric overlay, which is generally planar and containing designated switch areas thereon for manual operation by pressure. The switch is formed from several layers of conductive and nonconductive materials. Specifically, the switch includes a pair of electronic switch circuit leads disposed in noncontacting proximity. A substantially planar circuit completing layer formed to correspond with the pair of switch circuit leads is formed from conductive material and disposed and spaced array substantially parallel to the switch circuit leads. A nonconductive spacer is disposed, in one preferred embodiment, between the electric circuit and the circuit completing layer, with the spacer having a plurality of apertures therein of a selected density sufficient to provide a selected touch pressure.

Abstract: The improved apparatus of the present invention functions to substantially concentrate, separate, and remove floating solid materials from the surface of a volume of liquid. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus functions in two stages. In the first stage, the apparatus is directed to a treatment volume that is disposed adjacent an untreated volume of liquid. An entry means is disposed therebetween for flow of the surface portion of the untreated volume thereover. A baffle is disposed across the treatment volume and extends to a depth beneath the surface to permit the flow of the liquid thereunder, but to entrain the flow of solids material and to channel the flow of solids material into a take-off chamber over a take-off weir. In the second stage of the concentrating, separating, removing apparatus of the present invention, an influent flow of solids containing liquid is directed horizontally across and near the surface thereof to accumulate a sludge on the surface of the volume.

Abstract: The improved gas flow rate control regulator valve of the present invention maintains an optimum precombustion air to gas mass ratio for a wide range of air and gas flows within the combustion chamber of a furnace for efficient burning. The regulator valve of the present invention includes at least one piston diaphragm chamber containing a control piston for equalizing the pressure of the gas effluent with that of the precombustion air in a first preferred embodiment. In a second preferred embodiment, a bottom control piston chamber containing a piston of a size greater than the size of the top control piston is provided such that amplifier means for increasing the gas pressure are provided for application where the gas pressure to the combustion chamber must be greater than the pressure of the available precombustion air.

Abstract: The improved control and purge valve of the present invention is useful for the atomization of heavy fuel oil for combustion. The present control and purge valve is operable between closed, purging, and open positions, and includes an elongated valve body having a disc carrier disposed therein. The disc carrier preferably comprises a plurality of closure and orifice means thereon for opening or closing internally disposed steam exit, steam bypass exit, and oil exit ports to effect the closed, purging, and open positions of the valve of the present invention.

Abstract: The improved burner unit of the present invention is designed for use in relatively lower oxygen and/or lower pressure drop environments. The improved burner unit of the present invention comprises a burner base disposed at the bottom of the burner trough. A pair of mixing plates having aeration openings therein are attached on opposite sides of the burner base. The mixing plates include a lower flange for attachment to the burner base and a mixing plate body extending upwardly from such lower flange. The mixing plate body forms the sides of the burner trough and includes an outwardly protruding bulge at the center of the mixing plate. The burner unit also includes side flanges disposed on and extending from the sides of the mixing plate for engagement with like side flanges on like mixing plates to form a burner of the desired length. In preferred embodiments, the bulge in the side of the mixing plate body is generally parabolic in shape as viewed from the trough of the burner.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an orthopedic traction device which, in preferred embodiments, may be in the form of I-beam shaped elements or tubular elements, and such elements forming or operating in conjunction with an associated plurality of pressure plates for disposition intermittently disposed in spaced array about a selected anatomical portion for effecting traction. The pressure plates are spanned by at least one pressure strap such that intervening areas of the anatomical portion are not placed under pressure to retain circulation downstream thereof. A pivotably adjustable traction securement means is attached to the pressure plate on either side of the anatomical portion to permit adjustment of the angle of traction, thereby to vary the longitudinal distribution of the inwardly directed pressure on the pressure plates for adjusting the direction of the traction.