Abstract: Devices and methods for transferring heat to another object with close regulation of the maximum temperature obtainable. All embodiments utilize a vaporization unit wherein heat transfer material is vaporized. Vapors are directed to terminals where controlled heat transfer is effected through condensation heat loss. Terminals include devices for removing excess ear wax, providing physical therapy to body extremities and industrial, high temperature applications such as plastic welding. Condensate and excess vapor are under some circumstances reused through the use of a condensation unit.

Abstract: An ice fishing apparatus includes a collapsible container having a base having an opening therein, a lid which is pivotally mounted to the base, and a flexible body member peripherally connected to the base and the lid and disposed therebetween so as to provide a complete enclosure of the area between the base and lid when the lid is in its open position. The flexible body is preferably made of the heat reflected material so as to cause the heat generated by a combined heat and light source contained within the container to prevent ice build-up on the fishing line and in the fishing hole. The container has signaling structure which, when triggered, causes the light contained within the container to be emitted outside the container. The flexible body of the container collapses when the lid is closed thereby providing an easily transportable compact case for the ice fishing apparatus.

Abstract: A direct-mail advertising package includes an acceptance form and a return mailer envelope. The acceptance form and envelope are disposed between a front and back cover, each of which may bear a promotional message. The respective peripheral edges of the package (or other peripherally-disposed portions of the package) are glued together, preferably intermittently, so that the integrity of the package may be maintained during mailing. The front and back covers are integrally joined to form a spine alongside an edge of the package, and recessed index tabs are formed on the package opposite to the spine, so that the package may be "popped" open against its adhesive retention.The acceptance form is perforated, and when torn away from the package, has outer dimensions which are less than the corresponding inside dimensions of the envelope; thus the acceptance form may be slipped easily into the envelope without folding the acceptance form. If desired, the acceptance form is made from a relatively-thin paper stock.

Abstract: The elimination of a caulking step in the manufacture of filters which mount and are suspended from a top mounting floor by modifying the end cap thereof such that a top removal plate and an end plate which comprise the end cap are constructed to each have depending portions which cooperatively define a channel which sealably receives and connects to the filter medium. A seam between the top removal plate and end plate, which previously was sealed through a separate caulking step, is effectively sealed simultaneously with the pre-existing necessary adherence of the filter medium within the channel of the end cap.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprised of a split-ring annular bearing member having overlapping free ends and being molded of self-lubricating plastic material having a pressure velocity value at least equal to 1800 at 100 feet per minute surface speed and an annular continuous elastomeric combined sealing member and spring mounted in supporting relation to the split-ring bearing member and formed of a flowable rubber-like material, the combined sealing and spring member being mounted within a groove behind the bearing member so as to continually apply light pressure thereto to urge the same against the bearing surface so as to maintain a seal thereat; the combined sealing and spring member being of right-angled polyganol cross-sectional configuration and have concaved sides and convex corner lobes and being more narrow than the groove and sufficiently forgiving to avoid undue pressure and consequent wear upon the bearing member over the full range of temperature variations, created by high speed relative movement bet

Abstract: A microwave hot water kettle employing a three magnetron source housed in an accylene or plastic shell having a metallic outer casing. Uniformly distributed throughout the kettle are thin hollow platelets which hold the water to be heated. The reflective outer casing in conjunction with the three magnetron source provides near instantaneous heating of the water without cold spots. The kettle incorporates features for thermostatically controlling water temperature and providing pressure relief of the steam generated.

Abstract: A bearing assembly designed to preclude the escape of lubrication through bushings within which elongated shafts are rotated at high speeds. The bearing assembly is comprised of a bearing member of split-ring form which is made of a readily moldable self-lubricating material having a pressure velocity value at least equal to 1800 at 100 feet per minute surface speed, and is L-shaped in cross-sectional configuration. It includes an elastomeric sealing ring mounted in supporting relation to the sealing portion of the L-shaped bearing member which is compressed therewith within a groove provided for that purpose at the outer end of the bushing. The sealing ring maintains the bearing member in close-fitting, sealing relation to the sealing surface surrounding the shaft and is insulated by the bearing member from the sealing surface having rapid relative movement and from associated parts to thereby obviate the normally attendant destructive effects of high speed rotation upon such a ring.

Abstract: A method for producing mass quantities of discrete envelope and letter assemblies in a continuous operation, each of which includes an envelope and a separate letter having a business-fold disposed within the envelope, both formed from the same single sheet of material, and enabling the producer to print a personalized letter upon the sheet prior to the formation of the envelope assembly. The highly desirable end result which is attained is that the completed letter is in a business-letter-fold and the sheet moves continuously forward as the assembly is formed, such that the salutory heading of the letter opens to view when the letter is withdrawn from the envelope, and the signatory panel is folded between the salutation panel and the intermediate portion of the letter. The method is capable of continuous operation inasmuch as each sheet continuously moves in the same direction throughout each of the steps of the method.

Abstract: A powered seed dispenser for uniformly distributing seeds along the ground which includes a handle carrying a powered driven motor and a pivotally mounted seed distributor which is engaged and driven by the powered driven motor, the seed distributor being constructed of a pair of opposed discs, each disc having a pair of inner and outer sidewalls extending transversely therefrom toward its opposing disc, such discs being constructed and arranged to connect together telescopically in such manner as to create an inner metering chamber and an outer dispensing chamber wherein seeds contained inside the metering chamber discharge through openings in the inner sidewalls from the top portion of the volume of seeds, such seeds then falling into the dispensing chamber defined by the outer sidewalls where they are directed and discharged uniformly through dispensing apertures in the outer sidewalls at a point adjacent to the lowermost point of travel of the dispensing apertures.

Abstract: The oral machine controller is an apparatus for controlling operations of a machine by jaw and tongue movement of an operator. Upper and lower dentition grips include thermoplastic members which are conformed to tooth shape to cling thereto. A lightweight control unit in a housing includes a straight potentiometer which generates a controllably variable voltage signal to control a speed or intensity function of the machine. One dentition grip is attached to the control unit housing by a first control arm and the other to a second control arm which is attached to a moveable contact on the potentiometer for changing its position and controlling the speed or intensity function of the machine. A tongue-actuated microswitch is provided for additional control of machine functions.

Abstract: A post puller having substantially universal application for pulling posts of various cross-sectional configurations and characterized by a pair of transversely spaced jaws carried by the pulling clevis opposite the clevis pin, the clevis being pivotally connected adjacent one end of a lever handle which is pivotally supported by a stand, the space between the jaws accommodating the leg of T-shaped posts, and the jaws engaging the base of the U-shaped posts, during the pulling operation.

Abstract: A dynamic sealing ring made of a resilient flowable material such as an elastomer throughout, characterized by its cross-sectional configuration which in its free form is uniform and generally rectangular with arcuate smoothly contoured convex lobes at each of its corners, with its two opposed axially extending surfaces bearing additional annular convex sealing lobes in unequal numbers disposed in non-opposite relation between the adjacent corner lobes and separated therefrom and from each other by concavities and extending outwardly therebeyond a short distance to effect a more perfect seal, particularly when applied in encircling relation to a reciprocating piston rod and subjected to high gaseous pressures from a single direction or as a piston seal.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for cutting multiple sheets of fabric by a laser beam and removing the smoke and debris from the fabric. The multiple layers of fabric are disposed upon a honeycomb structure that is secured to a vacuum table connected to a vacuum source where the structure includes a plurality of vertically extended openings through which a laser beam is aimed and focused to cut a pattern in the multiple layers of fabric exclusing any impermeable sheets that cover the fabric above and below the fabric. By eliminating the impermeable sheets, the movement of the airstream is directed to flow towards the laser beam and take with it, the smoke and debris from the multiple layers of fabric. When the airstream is directed generally through the opening in the fabric, it assumes a path that moves substantially parallel to the laser beam.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a 12-gauge 00 buckshot shotshell having a definitely improved pattern accuracy because of the manner in which the pellets are stacked within the casing prior to firing. The 00 pellets are stacked within a relatively thick-walled casing, or within a relatively thick-walled sleeve within the casing, in single pairs superimposed one upon the other, each pair nesting with its adjacent pair in a common nesting zone and none of the centers of the pellets being disposed within such a nesting zone. The casing must have an effective internal diameter of less than 2.154 times the diameter of the 00 buckshot pellets. The pellets may be stacked so that the two pellets of most of the pairs are slightly axially off-set relative to each other, and so that each pellet is arranged along one of a pair of separate varying helical paths about the axis of the casing.

Abstract: A moving gate discharge system designed to prevent product-breakage while discharging particulate products, particularly non-free flowing and inter-engaging particulate products, in a more uniform flow from a receptacle having a moving bottom, is disclosed. The system includes an endless circulating feeder mounted across the discharge of the receptacle with its lower end portion oscillating upwardly and downwardly and traveling at a horizontal speed more rapid than that of the product on the moving bottom of the receptacle. Product-progressing finger assemblies are mounted in transverse rows on the feeder, spaced distances equal to the longitudinal distance the feeder moves during one period of vertical movement of the lower end portion thereof, and located such that each will be disposed directly below the lower end portion of the feeder when the latter reaches the lower portion of its downward movement.

Abstract: A foldable shirt hanger includes a frame having a bottom portion foldable to the rear upon itself with the shirt. Wings are secured to the lateral uppermost part of the frame for folding the arms of the shirt. A collar element is secured to a stem extending from a hook element to support the shirt collar, whether hanging from a support or being packed for shipment. The collar element pivots about a pair of pins to either lie flat against the shirt frame or be tilted away from it.

Abstract: A portable lock box is disclosed that is formed from an outer four-sided hollow tubular elongated structure having a rectangular cross-section with an elongated slot form transverse to the housing and an inner housing having closed end U-shaped members in overlapping leg configuration secured to each other in which one of the legs has a cooperating elongated slot to admit the latch member of a cam lock that is secured to one of the closed ends of the U-shaped members. A tray is provided to secure the valuables within the inner housing and a looped steel cable extends through a pair of slots formed in the edge of one of the closed ends of the U-shaped members.