Abstract: A fire detection system has a detector for sensing optical radiation from a spark or flame or hot spot and an optical waveguide comprising an elongate hollow tube, having an inlet end portion for placement in a hostile, hazardous environment, and having an outlet end portion for emitting light rays to the detector and for placement in a benign, non-hazardous environment, and having a reflective inner surface forming a passage for transmitting the optical radiation from the tube inlet end portion to the tube outlet end portion by successive internal reflections.The elongate hollow waveguide tube is sealed at the inlet end portion by a lens which admits the optical radiation to the tube; and at the outlet end typically by the detector. The sealed tube is filled with an inert gas, such as nitrogen, which helps to maintain the reflective interior surface of the tube.

Abstract: A cooking vessel includes a pan and a cover, and the cover having a lid and a shield assembly with a peripheral space therebetween. The shield assembly comprises an expansible shield member which is supported by the pan, and a plurality of clip members which support the lid and which are supported by the expansible shield member. The expansible shield member includes an overlapping peripherally spaced end portions for adjusting the diameter of the shield member.

Abstract: A back and leg stretcher, for applying a pusher force on an operator thereof, while supporting the operator in a seat assembly, is provided. The stretcher has a seat assembly and a pusher assembly. The seat assembly has a horizontal seat unit, a lower frame with two legs, and an upper frame with two legs. The pusher assembly has a pivot assembly, a pivot beam, a pusher unit, and a pulley system. The pivot assembly is centrally supported on the upper end of the horizontally seat unit. The pivot beam has a counterweight at a first end thereof and has a first pivot bolt at its midlength portion. The pusher unit has a pair of pusher arms pivotally supported by a second pivot bolt at one end and has a back engaging portion at its other end. The pulley system has a pulley rope, held by the operator at one end and extending through a pulley at its midlength portion and applying a force and torque on the pivot beam at its other end.

Abstract: A refillable cartridge for a copier, laser printer or similar xerographic printing process device, is provided. A method of manufacture of the refillable cartridge is also provided. The cartridge of the invention includes an upper portion with an upper chamber for clean toner and includes a lower portion with a lower chamber for toner waste. The upper portion has a refill hole, opening into the upper chamber. The lower portion has a discharge hole opening into the lower chamber. The refill hole and the discharge hole have respective seal members. The method of manufacture of the cartridge includes the steps of mounting on a support a plastic cartridge having an upper portion with an upper chamber, forming a refill hole in the upper portion by using, for example a hot iron rod for heating the respective adjoining plastic portion until the refill hole is formed; and forming a discharge hole in the lower portion.

Abstract: An animal leash having a middle section, a first end section and a second end section, with the middle section having a pair of rings at each end, and with each end section having one end portion connected to one of the adjacent rings and another end portion having a connector for connection to the other adjacent ring for forming a loop at one end, both ends, or opposite end of the leash, as required.

Abstract: A collapsible container which has a first pliable member and a second non-pliable member, wherein the first pliable member includes a first pliable sheet and a second pliable sheet which are joined together to form a pouch to hold the contents. The second non-pliable member includes a base design allowing for leak-free seals with the pliable sheets and a stem having a passageway with an outlet for dispensing the contents of the pouch. A process and an apparatus of container manufacture is also provided.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing valve mechanism including a valve body member having an annular seat portion which is contacted by the bushing portion of the shaft-bushing member to effect a seal. The shaft is interposed between the bushing and a contact point on a tower assembly, the latter held in fixed relationship to the valve body. The shaft, at least, is made from elastomeric material; and it is bowed off the axis between the center of the annular seat portion and the contact point on the tower assembly, when in position. This results in a positive seal between the bushing member and the annular seat. When the bushing member is displaced axially to dispense the fluid, the shaft member bows even further. The hysteresis effect inherent in the elastomeric shaft returns the bushing member to its contact position with the annular seat.

Abstract: There is disclosed a condition responsive detection system and method comprising a length of optical fiber including a core-cladding material which has a modal dispersion ratio less than a predetermined number. The fiber is placed in the area to be monitored and is illuminated on one end by a source of radiant power. Electronic circuitry including a photocell are positioned at the receiving end of the fiber and detect when the radiant power transmitted by the fiber is reduced below a nominal level when the cladding material is altered, as for example by a fire or an overheat condition in the area being monitored. The reduction in radiant power received is due to the alteration of the cladding material such that the reflected radiant power is lost through the alteration in the material.

Abstract: A truss assembly for supporting a building brick or masonry wall comprising a top and bottom chord, a plurality of vertical and diagonal stud members interconnected between the chords; and a lintel angle, for supporting the brick wall, connected to the bottom of the stud members at least. Tieback members are provided which secure the wall to the truss assembly. Adjustment provisions allow aligning the truss assembly both vertically and horizontally before the wall is constructed. A further stud member spans the truss assembly horizontally and provides a physical connection between the truss and the concrete floor systems. Bracing is provided between the column supports, by interconnecting members between the floor slab and the bottom portion of the truss assembly.

Abstract: A contact lens is provided having a substantially concavo-convex lenticular carrier. The carrier has a palpebral anchor portion which is shaped for seating between the conjunctiva of the lower eyelid and the inferior sclera of the eyeball, so that the carrier is held in place with respect to the lower eyelid by the muscles of the lower eyelid. The carrier also has an optical portion which projects upwardly from the anchor portion and which has a reading vision correction area which lies below the pupil of the eye when the wearer of the lens is looking straight ahead and substantially covers the pupil when the eye is moved to a reading position. The junction between the anchor portion and the optical portion extends substantially along the margin of the lower eyelid. The optical portion may consist solely of a reading vision correction area, so that the lens acts as a "half eye" lens, or may also include one or more distance vision correction areas, so that the lens acts as a true bifocal or trifocal lens.

Abstract: An improved dry pressed powder composition containing, by weight, about 1 to 10% a metal stearate, e.g. zinc stearate, about 1 to 10% alkaline metal carbonate, e.g. magnesium carbonate, about 10 to 50% of a naturally or synthetically derived cellulose or derivative thereof; and about 10 to 60% of aluminum potassium silicate; and a cosmetically effective amount of a cosmetically active ingredient, e.g. about 15 to 30% of aluminum chlorohydrate antiperspirant. The ingredients are blended together in a dry form and pressed into a stick-type form.

Abstract: In a toner cartridge system including a container having a dry toner storage area and dry toner dispensing opening with a flange portion, a removeable, heat sealed strip tape including a flange portion for coacting with the flange portion of the toner dispensing opening to cover the opening, the improvement wherein the flange portion of the strip tape which coacts with the flange surrounding the dispensing opening includes preconfigured openings of suitable shape to complement the toner filler nozzle. Disclosed configurations for the opening include a substantially circular one, a simple slit and two slits orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: A golf swing instructional aid is provided having a simulated golf ball mounted on one section of a two-sectioned support rod. The other rod section has a clamp for clamping the aid to a golf club shaft. The rod sections are disposed at an angle such that the simulated golf ball is disposed in a square impact position with respect to the club face, so that a user of the club during practice swings can see the correct position of the club face with respect to a golf ball at the moment of impact, visualize the flight path of the ball and thereby practice correct positioning of the user's hands and body with respect to the club and ball. Separate clamp arrangements are provided for golf woods and irons.

Abstract: A dispensing valve for use on a supply bottle containing fluid for a copier or printer, including an outer unit having a bottle cap with a central spider with slots and having an inner sleeve projecting into the bottle forming a valve seat, and including an inner unit having an elastomer member and having a spring-biased seal plug urging the elastomer member against the valve seat, said plug being adapted to rotate slightly to fit the elastomer member to the valve seat and said plug having a high strength, chisel-like tip for breaking a secondary seal in the bottle.

Abstract: Cooking apparatus having a plurality of individual portion sized pots disposed in a pot chamber is provided for cooking pasta and other foods "to order". Each pot has a cooking fluid admitting opening in the bottom thereof which receives a cooking fluid nozzle therein. The pot opening is covered by a mesh or other apertured cap which admits cooking fluid but prevents the pasta from escaping. The head of the nozzle has a "hat-shaped" cap slidably mounted thereon which closes the pot opening and injects heated cooking fluid into the pot when the nozzle is connected to a source of heated cooking fluid and which opens the pot opening and drains the pot when the nozzle is disconnected from the cooking fluid source. Cooking and draining are accomplished without moving the nozzle or the pot. The drained cooking fluid is collected in the pot chamber and recirculated by means of a filter and pump so that it may be used again for the same or other pots.