Abstract: An apparatus for desalinating ocean waters by distillation and furnishing electrical power, utilizes an evaporator, barometric leg conduits, a closed condenser, ocean water circulating circuits for circulating warm surface water to the evaporator and cool ocean water to the condenser and using the mass flow of vapors evolved from the evaporator to drive a prime mover which in turn drives an electrical generator. A portion of the electrical power so-generated is used to control the operation of respective pumps and valves in the apparatus. The liquid level of the condensate water is controlled in a barometric leg condensate outlet conduit. The system is also provided with a vacuum pump at least for initiating a reduced pressure and particle separator channel means is provided to prevent liquid entrainment in the condenser.

Abstract: A novel valance support is disclosed and described. The valance support includes a first and a second side portion disposed at substantially right angles to one another by means of a gusset. A first and a second arm are connected to the first and the second side portions, respectively. Four valance supports are disposed above the four corners of a standard bed and rigidly connected to the ceiling by means of a toggle bolt. Corner draperies are then suspended from the valance support by means of drapery hooks which hook into apertures disposed in the side portions and arms. Such suspension converts a standard bed into what is commonly referred to as a poster bed. The invention further includes an outside ruffle attachment which is secured relative to the valance support. An elastic cord or the like is stretched between each pair of attachments and connected thereto by means of a clip.

Abstract: A typical bench saw, using a removable, adjustable position guide rail is shown in a typical environment for this invention. To prevent reverse travel of the workpiece after a cut has reached a point where it is not under full operator control, a blocking device is housed in an opening of the fence guide and is spring-loaded to project a flat abutment surface thereof from the normal guide surface of the fence. A workpiece moved along the fence will cam down the blocking device because the rear portion of the blocking device is a cam surface hinged on the upstream side of the workpiece path. A second blocking device is housed in an opening in the surface of the table traversing the normal work path of a workpiece, and is hinged and spring-loaded exactly as the blocking device of the fence guide. Either one of the two blocking devices may be used separately, but the uses compliment one another.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for activating a thermostat for an air conditioning or heating system. The apparatus comprises a control circuit and a controllable switch connected to activate and deactivate the thermostat controlling the air conditioning or heating system. A timing circuit provides a first timing period in which the thermostat is deactivated in addition to providing a second timing period to activate the thermostat. The control also includes a circuit for deactivating the thermostat for a period of time in the event the compressor terminates operation for any reason. An optional occupancy sensor increases the time of deactivation of the thermostat during periods of non-use of the area being air conditioned or heated. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for erecting folded cartons comprising a first and a second carton track established in a substantially L-shaped configuration. A carton magazine is mounted at one end of the first track whereas a carton erector is secured relative to the junction of the first and second tracks. A flap folder is mounted along the second track for folding the flaps of the carton with a carton sealer being located at the terminal end of the second carton track. A first drive provides reciprocal movement along the first carton track for serially moving the cartons from the carton magazine to the carton erector. A second drive moves the carton along the second track from the carton erector to the carton sealer. The first drive may comprise an air cylinder controlled in accordance with the movement of the second drive. The second drive may comprise a reciprocal mechanical linkage for driving the cartons along the second track.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for filling and capping a quantity of stackable containers with a fluid from a fluid reservoir. The apparatus comprises a rotary table having a plurality of apertures disposed therein for receiving the containers. Containers from a container magazine are transferred individually and placed within the apertures in the rotary table. A filling head is disposed at a second position for filling the container with the fluid pumped from the fluid reservoir. The filling head comprises a unique pinch bar and flexible tubing combination to insure rapid termination of fluid flow from the filling head. A lid magazine is disposed at a third position with a rotatable arm placing a lid from the lid magazine upon the filled container. A heat sealer located at a fourth position heat seals the lid to the container. A discharge station is located at a fifth position for discharging the capped containers from the rotary table.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooperation with an existing opening within a cooling radiator of a vehicle for determining the liquid level in the radiator. The radiator, which may be an automobile or truck radiator, is connected to an electrical power source of the vehicle through the vehicle chassis. An insulator is established relative to the vehicle radiator in a substantially fixed relation. A sensor is mounted to the insulator for extending into the liquid in the radiator when a sufficient quantity of liquid is contained therein. The sensor has a plurality of curved surfaces for increasing the surface area of the sensor. An indicator interconnects the sensor with the electrical power source of the vehicle for indicating the level of liquid contained in the radiator by conductivity through the liquid in contact with the sensor. The increased surface area of the sensor enables the indicator means to be a conventional incandescent lamp connected in series with the sensor and the electrical power source of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for erecting folded cartons having top and bottom flaps. The apparatus comprises a carton track with a carton magazine disposed at one end thereof. First track movement means moves a folded carton on the track from the carton magazine to a first position. A top flap folder folds the top flaps of the carton to be substantially parallel to the sides of the carton. A second track movement means intermittently moves the cartons from the first station to the second end of the track. A carton erector is disposed at a position on the second track for erecting the folded carton. A bottom flap folding means is disposed at a third position on the track for folding the bottom flaps of the carton. A sealer is disposed at a fourth position on the track for sealing the bottom flaps of the erected rigid structure.

Abstract: An improved fluid spray pump is disclosed for spraying a fluid from a fluid container through a terminal orifice comprising a housing having an internal cylinder with a first and a second end. A collar with an internal collar aperture is mounted adjacent the first end of the housing internal cylinder. A pump barrel is slidably received in the internal collar aperture and includes a barrel internal bore communicating with a terminal orifice in the pump barrel. A piston comprising a piston stem is received in the barrel internal bore of the piston barrel and with a piston head received within the housing internal cylinder. Channels are provided along the piston stem for communicating the housing internal cylinder with the terminal orifice. An annular seal is slidably mounted relative to the piston and the pump barrel for sealing the channel means when the annular seal abuts a shoulder formed between the piston head and the piston stem.

Abstract: A component building assembly is disclosed comprising a plurality of panels each having an inner and an outer skin with insulation interposed therebetween. The inner and outer skin of each of the panels extend beyond the insulation creating panel grooves about the perimeter of the panel. The insulation preferably comprises a substantially rigid foam insulation such as foam polystyrene, foam polyurethane or the like. The outer skin may comprise wood, aluminum or plastic, whereas the inner skin may be metallic, plasterboard, plastic or wood. A first support stud is secured to a slab or a horizontal joist. A first interpanel stud extends upwardly from the first support stud. A first panel is mounted with the panel grooves of adjoining ends at least partially receiving the first support stud and the first interpanel stud. A second interpanel stud is secured to extend upwardly from the first support stud and within a panel groove of the first panel.

Abstract: A self-contained, closed system, aerobic sewage treatment system designed for use in a house or in mobile situations such as a boat, plane, bus, train, etc. comprising a housing with a toilet and a main digestion tank and a series of secondary digestion tanks below the toilet. An air diffusor, an aeration deflector and a quiescent zone are disposed in the majority of the digestive tanks to promote the rapid digestion of the organic waste deposited therein. The final digestion tank which receives the substantially organically pure water from the system has a pump to recirculate some of the water to rinse the toilet bowl after use.

Abstract: The invention comprises an improved mastectomy bra specifically adapted for a female having a single mastectomy. The bra comprises a left and a right bra element, each being an independent and separate article. Each of the left and right bra elements comprises a bra cup and a chest band secured to the bra cup for encircling the chest of the female. A bra clasp is diposed in at least one of the chest bands enabling one of the bra elements to be completely removed to expose the breast of the female while simultaneously enabling the other of the bra elements to remain in place to cover the prosthesis of the female.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for indicating the lubricating quality of a lubricating oil for a machine. The device comprises a frame and a rotatable shaft having a journal for rotation with the shaft. A housing having an internal cavity is mounted to receive the rotatable shaft with the journal disposed within the internal cavity of the housing. A journal-engaging member is mounted in the internal cavity for engaging the journal to establish a normal force between the journal-engaging member and the journal. An oil outlet and an oil inlet communicates with the internal cavity in the housing. The oil inlet and oil outlet are connected to a machine for circulating lubricating oil between the housing and the machine whereby the lubricating oil is directed between the journal and the journal-engaging member. An electric motor drives the rotatable shaft relative to the housing.

Abstract: An abrasive cleaning apparatus is disclosed for cleaning a work surface by blasting the surface with an abrasive under fluid pressure from a remote source of abrasive and fluid. The apparatus comprises a base which is preferably mounted on a mobile chassis for supporting at least one nozzle by a nozzle support. A conduit connects the nozzle to the remote source of abrasive and fluid. The nozzle support is mounted to the base about a first axis of rotation. A second axis of rotation rotatably mounts the nozzle support for controlling the reaction force produced by the nozzle during operation. The first and second axis are established at an angle relative to one another such that a rotation of the nozzle about the second axis directs the reaction force of the nozzle during operation to cause rotation of the nozzle support about the first axis.

Abstract: An improved shuffleboard cue is disclosed having a handle member and yoke comprising a first and a second arm extending from the handle member. A first and second pin extend from the first and second arms for receiving a first and a second pusher for contacting a shuffleboard disc. A first and a second clip cooperates with the first and second pins to removably secure the first and second pushers enabling the pushers to be interchanged or replaced on the shuffleboard cue. The first and second pins pivotably mount the first and second pushers on the yoke of the shuffleboard cue. The handle member may optionally comprise a telescopic feature incorporating an improved rotatable locking means for locking a first handle member portion relative to a second handle member portion. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Abstract: A continuous spray button assembly of the type primarily used in conjunction with an aerosol dispenser and comprising a button contained within a tubular sleeve. The button and sleeve are rigidly press-fitted over the stem and turret of the valve, respectively. In one embodiment, two upstanding arms are disposed at the upper end of the sleeve. The button is pushed between the upstanding arms which lock the button into a tilted position thereby actuating the tilt valve and dispensing the product. By pushing the button in the reverse direction, the upstanding arms release the button located therebetween to deactuate the tilt valve and terminate dispensing of the product.