Abstract: A paint applicator comprises a frame with a flat side which carries an absorbent pad; the other side of the frame supports a handle. The axles for a pair of rollers depend from a hinged mount supported on the handled face of said frame; the axles are parallel and are inclined toward one margin of the frame. The angle of the hinged mount with respect to the frame is adjustable. The rolling face of the rollers may have a circumferential groove such that, in use, the applicator may edge the paint on a surface adjacent a narrow moulding with a circumferential groove of the rolling surface of the rollers abutting the bevelled corner of the moulding. In another embodiment, the rollers have a knife-edged rolling face which abuts in the inside corner between the surface to be painted and the moulding. In a further embodiment, the rollers are replaced with a stationary knifed-edged abutment which is also intended to abut the inside corner between the surface to be painted and the moulding.

Abstract: A process of producing a disinfecting BZ reaction comprising continuously adding, at a point in a system of continuously flowing water in which a reductant consisting of microbial life forms is present, halogens or halogen containing compounds which hydrolize to create two bistable systems at equilibrium. The first bistable system consists of Cl.sub.2, HOCL, OCl and chloramines in the water, and the second bistable system consists of IO.sub.3.sup.-, I.sub.2 and HIO in the water. The bistable systems when perturbed by the reductant will initiate an oscillating reaction certain of whose intermediate products are microbicidal.

Abstract: A two-stage air-to-air heat pump comprises two passageways between the outside and inside of a building with a passive heat pump first stage and an active heat pump second stage. One end of the heat pump is disposed in one of the passageways and the other end in the other passageway and the pipe is tilted so one end is higher than the other. Similarly, one coil of the active heat pump is disposed in one passageway and the other coil is disposed in the other passageway. Air from the outside enters through one of the passageways, passes over one end of the heat pipe and then one of the coils into the inside. Air from the inside passes over the other end of the heat pipe and then the other coil to the outside. By choosing which end of the heat pipe is the higher end and the direction of the compressor, this two stage heat pump may either heat or cool air entering the enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spring assembly for the seat portions or areas of upholstered furniture. The spring assembly provides a frame and a series of different spring types supported in a generally parallel arrangement within the frame. The spring assembly inlcudes a plurality of upper spaced, elongate sinuous springs extending between and above a pair of opposing front and back members. Located in the central region of the assembly is a rectangular quad coil spring mounted on two upper and lower wire stringers. The spring assembly is provided with a pair of Z-shaped sinuous springs, one located on each lateral side of the quad coil. The Z-shaped springs are mounted on lower elongate sinuous springs extending between the front and back members. The upper portions of the Z-shaped sinuous springs and the upper elongated sinuous springs are secured to the upper and lower stringers for stability and to prevent lateral movement of same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a product of predetermined shape from a vegetable, in which a cylindrical plug is cut into the vegetable, a cylindrical pocket is cut in the plug, and the base of the plug is severed from the vegetable to form a cup.

Abstract: An interface unit for interconnecting a telephone central switch to a personal computer. The interface unit receives power and data from the switch over a two wire twisted pair. The data is in a half duplex T.C.M. format and is transformed into standard digital data with the logic "1" and "0" being represented by +5V and 0V respectively. The standard digital data is then arranged into 8 bit words and encoded in either an asynchronous or synchronous manner depending on the type of computer. The interface unit has a line interface circuit which provides the physical interface between the interface unit and the computer. The interface unit has a transmitter circuit which converts the +5V and 0V digital signals to -5V and +5V, respectively. These values are recognized by the computer as logic "1" and "0".

Abstract: The present invention provides for a shelf and bracket assembly which may be used in various applications including in a cabinet for the storage of circuit boards. The shelf and bracket assembly comprises vertical brackets with slots, horizontal brackets with tabs, slidable brackets with inclining surfaces, a shelf with declining surfaces, and adjustment feature, whereby a first general height adjustment of the shelf may be followed by a fine-tuning height adjustment. The invention also provides for a circuit board guide strip which is reusable and which may be inserted into holes in the shelf surface in a lockable relationship.

Abstract: A retractable roof for a stadium, comprising a central arch separating a pair of end segments, one end segment being fixed, the central arch being movable to a position above the fixed end segment, the other end segment being movable arcuately laterally to a position transverse to its closed position and laterally external to the central arch.

Abstract: A unitary metal pizza slice server has a triangular food support surface with a first handle portion projecting from its base and an overlying second handle portion resiliently joined at the distal end of the first portion to form a U-shape handle. The second handle portion terminates in a concave U-shaped food gripper facing the base of the triangular food support surface. The handle has a zone proximate the food support surface of a sufficient width and length in order to dissipate heat from a piping hot pizza slice on the food support surface so that the portion of the handle beyond this zone may be gripped by an unsheathed hand of a user. The handle is also sufficiently long to ensure sanitary serving of the pizza slice.

Abstract: An interior wall mounting device comprising an elongated element having a base plate and at least one side flange projecting laterally from the base plate. The free edge of the side flange is turned inwardly to form a channel opening in a direction normal to the base plate and outwardly therefrom. The channel is adapted to have a plurality of studs securable laterally to the channel and shaped to receive the edge of a planar sheet securable against the studs to form a wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering cards or like paper stock fed singly from a stack of the cards to a demand location for dispensing in sequence, in which each card fed from the stack is advanced through a plurality of stages of a conveyor, each stage being independently operable, each stage and all preceding stages and the stack feeder being actuable when no card is present at that stage, the leading stage being also operable to deliver a card on demand, the cards being feed at a higher rate than the dispensing rate.

Abstract: A paint applicator comprises a frame with a flat side which carries an absorbent pad; the other side of the frame supports a handle. The axles for a pair of rollers depend from a hinged mount supported on the handled face of said frame; the axles are parallel and are inclined toward one margin of the frame. The angle of the hinged mount with respect to the frame is adjustable. The rolling face of each of the rollers have a circumferential groove and the edge of the rolling distal from the frame has a circumferential flat surface which converges toward the axle of the roller in a direction away from the frame. The applicator may be used to edge the paint on a surface adjacent a narrow moulding with a bevelled corner by positioning the applicator so that the pad is against the edge of the surface with the grooved rolling face cupping the bevelled edge of the moulding. The incline of the rollers may need to be adjusted to achieve this.

Abstract: A viscous material dispenser (for liquid soap and the like) comprises a piston in fluid communication with an air chamber. Depressing the piston increases the pressure in the air chamber and this pressurized air is conducted through a duct to a reservoir. Depressing the piston also opens a nozzle leading from the bottom of the reservoir. In one embodiment the duct terminates in a portion which turns back on the remainder of the duct which portion incorporates a one-way non-return valve so that the pressure in the reservoir may be built up with consecutive strokes of the piston due to the non-return valve. When air is pumped through the duct, a bubble of air is trapped between the valve and the mouth of the duct which prevents fouling of the valve by the viscous material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a product of predetermined shape from a vegetable, in which the vegetable is split and the opposed sections are scooped out. In another aspect of the invention a shaft penetrates the vegetable and blades are laterally flexed to carve out a cavity when the shaft is rotated. In still another aspect of the invention a pair of sloping U-shaped cutters move together into the vegetable and a U-shaped knife in each of the cutters rotates to form a heart-shaped core.

Abstract: A mechanical game set has game pieces (12) with offset ends (30, 32) that may be cooperatively maneuvered, by pivotal or rotational movement, along a frame (10) by removing or inserting balls (42, 43) into sockets 26 one posts (16, 18, 20) of the frame.

Abstract: A dispenser for a continuous strip of articles has two grippers with cantilevered gripping arms, one gripper positioned at each side of the strip. One of the grippers grips the end article in the continuous strip of articles and moves the end article downstream to a dispensing station through the open arms of the other gripper which moves upstream to a gripping position whereas it grips the article adjacent the end article. A cutter severs the article at the dispensing station from the continuous strip and the downstream gripper opens to dispense the article. The upstream gripper now grips the end article and may move downstream through the open gripping arms of the other gripper for dispensing this next article and this process may be repeated.