Abstract: Hand protection systems for use with batting gloves having a back surface which is adapted to fit over the metacarpal portion of the wearer's hand for protecting the hand. The components of the protective system can be releasibly connected to the glove while in place on the wearer's hand. The system involves a cushioning pad which is releasibly connected at its underside to the back surface of the glove so that it is held firmly in place on the glove while at the same time it being readily withdrawn from the glove. A rigid plate member is releasibly secured to the outer side of the cushioning pad so that a sharp blow to the outer surface of the plate member is distributed to a substantial surface area of the pad. The plate member has at least one transversely extending rib eccentrically positioned on the plate member along its longitudinal dimension. A second rib may be spaced from and generally co-extend with the first rib member.

Abstract: A putter incorporating a rearwardly-facing recess having a block member to facilitate proper stroking of the ball and the follow-through of the putter head during the putting operation. The head of the golf club has a proximal heel portion, a distal toe portion, and a central portion between the two which is to be used for striking the golf ball. The golf club has a face plate which extends transversely of the club and has a front side for striking the ball and a back side. A sole plate extends rearwardly from the lower portion of the face plate and defines with the back side of the face plate a rearwardly extending recess or cavity. A block member is interposed in the rearwardly-extending recess behind the face plate and is secured to the back side of the face plate in the central portion of the club head in a configuration in which the predominant mass of the block member is at a forward location of the club head.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a static dissipative material from a substrate material formed of a thermoformable polymeric matrix of low electrical conductivity. The substrate material is contacted with a solution of an aniline-based monomeric or oligomeric conductant which is selected from the group consisting of aniline and substituted aniline components. The aniline-based conductant is dissolved in a solvent and maintained in contact with the substrate material for a period of time to permit at least partial infusion of the conductant into the polymeric matrix. Subsequent to the contact step, the substrate material is subjected to a curing step in which the aniline-based segments introduced into the polymeric matrix are at least partially polymerized. The polymerization of the infused aniline segments can be carried out in an oxidizing environment or by subjecting the infused substrate material with electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet range.

Abstract: A method for providing an active sanitized aqueous medium in a dental treatment operation. A chlorinated water supply is treated with a physiologically-safe acidifier to provide a substantially enhanced hypochlorous acid concentration. The water is treated to convert the hypochlorite ion into the much more bacteriocidal undisassociated hypochlorous acid. A reservoir is provided at a suitable location, such as a dental treatment station. Potable water from a suitable source is supplied to the reservoir. The potable water contains free chlorine in an amount of at least 0.1 ppm. The water in the reservoir is treated with a physiologically-safe acidifier selected from the group consisting of inorganic acids, organic acids, and acid esters which have GRAS status.

Abstract: The invention provides a clumpable animal litter mixture having about 5 to 50 weight percent bentonite, about 0.1 to 25 weight percent gum-containing clumping agent and balance filler particulate. The gum-containing clumping agent is formed from a plant selected from the group consisting of the Plantago and Cydonia families. The clumpable animal litter mixture is pourable into a litter box and agglomerates into a clump upon contact with urine. The clump of the agglomerated bentonite, gum-containing clumping agent, filler particulate and urine is capable of removal with a perforated scoop after as little as one minute of formation. The clumpable mixture is formed by introducing the clumping agent into a foam. The mixture is mixed into the foam to distribute the clumping agent throughout the foam. The mixture of clumping agent and foam is then added to solid particulate to adhere the clumping agent to the solid particulate.