Abstract: A body support element such as a mattress, box springs or the like that exhibits non-slip qualities as to a further item freely supported thereon. A ticking fabric covers at least an upper surface of the element includes a base fabric having pairs of yarns laid in atop said base fabric and secured thereto, the lay in yarns following non-linear paths. The yarns of each pair preferably follow mirror image paths to the opposite yarn of the pair. Processes for producing the ticking fabric and finishing same are also included.

Abstract: A process for fabricating a building module is disclosed and claimed. The building module includes a load bearing frame, preferably utilizing metal components welded together. The frame is produced in subsections, namely two portal frame subsections, a floor frame subsection, a roof frame subsection, and optionally cantilever section frame subsections. The various frame subsections are assembled with the use of jigs which monitor correctness of the appropriate components, after which the subsections are transferred to a final frame assembly site, where they are located on jigs which properly position same with respect to other subsections, after which the subsections are secured to each other to form a unified module frame. The frame is then lifted and casters or the like are removably secured to a lower portion of same, whereby the completed frame may be moved, preferably on a trackway, past a plurality of finishing stations where predetermined further assembly steps are performed at each such station.

Abstract: An interior wall for a transportable building module which includes a frame, a floor associated with the frame, a roof associated with the frame, and at least one exterior wall associated with the frame. The interior wall includes lower horizontal support members rigidly secured to the floor and upper horizontal support members flexibly associated with the frame. A plurality of spaced apart vertical support members are secured therebetween. Wall panels preferably gypsum panels are secured to the vertical support members, and preferably are provided with reinforcement across an outer surface of same and joints therebetween. Exemplary of preferred reinforcing mediums are fiberglass fabric adhesively secured across the panels and joints, or a flexible polymeric film produced in situ across the panels and the joints.

Abstract: A prefabricated monolithic reinforced concrete floor system is disclosed and claimed. Open web trusses are provided along a longitudinal dimension of a floor frame with rectangular tubular beams secured therebetween. Reinforcing elements are secured along upper surfaces of the open web trusses and the tubular beams where a floor is utilized and a reinforcing mesh material is draped thereover. Reinforcing clips may be received about the peripheral reinforcing elements to further reinforce edges of the floor. The concrete slab is produced in situ about the frame and totally encapsulates the reinforcing elements present while a lower surface of the slab is coterminous with an upper surface of the open web trusses and the tubular beams.

Abstract: A transportable building module including a load-bearing support frame which includes a pair of spaced apart portal frames, a floor frame and a roof frame. The floor frame includes two elongated open web trusses having tubular floor purlins secured in spaced relationship therebetween. Reinforcing floor elements are secured to the upper surfaces of the open web trusses and the floor purlins. Reinforcing mesh is draped across the area of the frame to receive a reinforced concrete slab floor with the mesh being received around the upstanding reinforcing elements. Clip elements may be received around peripheral reinforcing elements, if needed for peripheral reinforcement, and a concrete slab is produced in situ about the floor frame, encapsulating the reinforcing elements, which concrete floor will undergo transit of the building module without damage.

Abstract: A molded, thermoplastic container having a pressure dome section in an end wall to permit the container to hold pressurized fluids. An integral dispensing spout may be provided which preferably is collapsible to nest within the container, and having sanitary seal means over the spout. An annular ring structure around the pressure dome section may be provided to permit the container to stand on an end during filling and storage. Method and apparatus are included for forming the pressure dome section in a previously molded thermoplastic end wall, for collapsing a dispensing spout to a nested position within the container, and for pressure testing the container.

Abstract: A seeding implement which includes a cylindrical container having a bottom with a centrally located opening therein. A metering plate is located beneath said container, preferably defining a plurality of different sized orifices that are locatable beneath and concentric to the bottom wall opening of the container. An elongated, adjustable seed metering rod is provided which includes a flattened tip that resides within said bottom wall opening, and eccentric thereto, and with the rod being mounted for oscillatory motion. Removable mounting of a plurality of seeding implements on a soil renovating implement is also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: An improved foundation ventilator assembly including a housing in which united shutter elements are mounted for pivotal movement between an open and closed position to control air flow through the ventilator. Preferably, a thermally responsive spring is secured to one of the shutter elements to cause pivotal movement of same with changes in ambient temperature. The housing defines openings therein for the receipt of mounting means which are utilized to secure the ventilator assembly within a foundation or other wall opening. The mounting means includes a threaded element in threaded engagement with a pressure element, such that when the threaded element is screwed into the foundation or other wall surrounding the opening, force is applied against the ventilator assembly or at least partially absorbed by the pressure plate. A removably secureable rear cover or screen may also be provided to close the rear of the ventilator assembly.

Abstract: An improved process for orthopedic implantation of a prosthesis where the prosthesis has a polymer coating on substantially the entire surface of same that is to be affixed to the bone by bone cement, the polymer coating being substantially completely polymerized and exhibiting a virtually pore free outer surface. After preparation of the bone cavity, a bone cement, preferably a self-curing acrylic is inserted into the bone cavity, after which the precoated prosthesis is properly positioned therein. The polymeric coating on the prosthesis should be compatible with the bone cement to achieve a chemical bond therebetween. A precoated prosthesis is also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating continuously moving staple length textile fibrous materials to uniformly apply a liquid treating composition, such as a dye or other chemical thereto, wherein loose staple fibers are temporarily formulated into a web for continuous delivery by gravity down a conveying chute into the nip portion of a pair of applicator rollers containing a treating liquid on their surfaces, and wherein the fiber conveying chute and its discharge end are maintained at preferred angles of inclination and distances from the nip of the two applicator rollers to facilitate continuous delivery of the fibers uniformly through the nip portion of the applicator rollers to improve the application of liquid materials thereto. The fibers are thereafter continuously conveyed for heat treatment in loose random staple length form and under compression through a RF energy confined heating tube.

Abstract: A mattress unit comprises an inflatable base having resilient support cells on its upper surface, the tops of the cells supporting a patient, and a cover over the cells with a gas inlet to provide an increased pressure between the cover and the cells. The cover is perforated to allow ventilation of a patient. The unit is suitable for long-stay patients.

Abstract: A fluidized patient support structure in which a mass of granular material is received within an open top container between a fluid diffuser plate and a flexible sheet on which the patient may lie in a supine position. Pressurized fluid passes through the diffuser plate and suspends the granular material in a fluidized form. The diffuser plate has a predetermined variable contour and a predetermined depth of fluidized material thereabove adequate to support a patient in a supine position.

Abstract: A pet door comprises a frame hingedly supporting a flap undersized relative to the opening therefor in the frame; the resulting gaps therebetween are weatherproofed by sealing means in part constituted by co-extensive plastics magnet strips on confronting edges of the flap and frame. One magnet strip at least is mounted for movement in a direction across the gap into and out of face-to-face sealing contact with the other magnet strip, respectively as the flap enters and leaves its closed position; the movement is responsible for jam-free closing and opening.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for restraightening depending bent metal end skirts of cylindrical containers, such as beer kegs, wherein the containers moving in a path of travel for processing are automatically interrogated by sensing heads which engage the rims of the normally circular end skirts of the containers to detect the presence or absence of a bent portion thereof. Containers having detected bent skirt portions are directed from the main processing path to a skirt straightening station where the ends of the container are supported in retaining rings of upper and lower straightening heads while arcuately spaced pry levers, or paws, located centrally in each retaining ring move radially outward from a central nested position to engage inwardly bent skirt portions of the container to lift and push the same outwardly into a circular configuration. The container is rotated in the rings between engagements by the paws to bring all portions of the skirts into position for straightening.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for continuously treating staple length fibrous materials by applying a liquid dye or other chemical to the fibrous materials, conveying the liquid impregnated materials into and through an elongate heating tube under compression to react or fix the dye or chemical in the fibers, and collecting the fibers; and wherein the continuously moving loose fibers are condensed into a fibrous web before passage through the liquid dye or chemical applicator to provide sufficient cohesive integrity to the web so that it can be passed into and through the liquid dye or chemical, and the driven nip rollers of the dye applicator without parting.

Abstract: A mechanical harvester for marine bivalve mollusks and the like. A harvester head is provided for movement along a bottom to be harvested, which head includes driven tined elements for dislodging mollusks from the bottom and for removing dislodged mollusks and conveying same away from the bottom. The harvester head is supported by a cable system, preferably from a marine vessel, that is adapted to impart a substantially constant lifting force on the harvester head over a predetermined range of water depth, such that a predetermined pressure only is applied by the head against the bottom during harvesting, whereby damage to the bottom that would hinder replenishment of marine life is avoided. The harvester head is also capable of pitch and roll movement to follow the contour of the bottom during harvesting.

Abstract: Improved apparatus for continuously treating moving textile material in staple length fiber form by impregnating the moving fibers with a dye or other chemical, compressing and conveying the impregnated fibers in a continuous compacted mass form through an elongate heating tube to fix or react the dye chemical on the fibers, and periodically discharging in compacted mass sections of the fibers onto a conveyor which transports the fibers while they are being washed. The improvement in such apparatus comprises a pair of agitating rollers and a pin conveyor section disposed in the path of movement of the compacted fiber mass sections to break the sections apart and generally uniformly distribute the fibers on the washing conveyor to facilitate removal of excess dye or chemical therefrom.

Abstract: A process for continuously dyeing or chemically treating textile staple length fibers having thermoplastic properties while conveying the fibers in a desired path of travel wherein the fibers are impregnated by passage through a liquid dye or chemical applicator and subsequently compressed and advanced in compressed form into and through a confined heating zone for reaction of the dye or chemical with the fibers, and wherein the fibers are preheated prior to their compaction at a temperature below their second order transition point but above the reaction temperature of the dye or other chemical applied thereto to compact and reduce the bulk of the same before their compression and delivery into the confined heating zone.

Abstract: A saw blade is adapted for attachment to a power operated surgical saw having a blade element with teeth disposed along at least a portion of the periphery of same to define a cutting surface and having a saw connector receiving opening therein. A guard element is secured to the blade portion on at least one side thereof and extends outwardly therefrom in a direction transverse to the major axis of the blade. The guard portions are set at a predetermined distance from the cutting surface so as to define a depth of cut of the saw blade, whereby a surgeon may utilize the blade, either rotary type, or oscillatory type for sternal splitting incisions without the danger of too deep a cut to a point where injury to the heart and great vessels can occur. Likewise, blades according to the present invention can be utilized with greater safety for the patient in removal of casts and for orthopedic surgical purposes.

Abstract: A multiple access fluid connector unit having two connector elements adapted for connection to a source of fluid or a fluid administration device and sealed on an opposite end. A plurality of spacially separate access ports are provided along the length of the elements, in communication with a fluid manifold that extends along the element. An outer end of each port has a removable cover to maintain the port sterile prior to use. Ports on one element are associable with ports on the other element to provide fluid flow through the unit. After association of two ports, when desirable to disconnect, the associated ports are severed from the elements and the element is resealed adjacent the cut. Two further of the sterile ports can thereafter be uncovered and used to reinstitute fluid flow through the unit.