Abstract: An envelope suitable for machine sorting equipment, the envelope being adapted to be used twice, once on an outward trip, and once on a return trip when the envelope is returned to the original sender and having front and back panels and two closure flaps namely an outward trip closure flap and a return trip closure flap, the return trip closure flap being concealed within the envelope during the outward trip, and being capable of being extracted from the interior of the envelope to reseal the envelope for its return trip, the outward closure flap and part of the front panel being removed from the envelope prior to the return, and the front panel having a perforation line whereby both the outward trip closure flap and part of the front panel may be removed when it is torn off, to open the envelope. The return trip flap then folds out and covers the gap in the front panel.

Abstract: A curling iron has a barrel and a hair-clamping arm pivotally mounted thereon for movement between an elevated position in which it projects angularly and forwardly relative to the barrel and a lowered hair-clamping position in which it is disposed alongside the barrel. A sleeve extends around the barrel and can be rotated and/or moved axially to cause movement of the hair-clamping arm into its elevated position against the action of a spring biassing that arm into its lowered position.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a teapot and a cover therefor. The cover is hollow and radiused at the top tapering to a slightly larger radius at the bottom. The hollow cover is sufficiently large and operates as a food warmer when the perforated disc is placed across the opening of the tea making chamber. The perforated disc allows the penetration of steam into the hollow cover of the teapot creating a food warmer, thus conserving energy by making use of otherwise unused steam. The teapot having a removable circular band, with attached teabag holders, which fits within the interior of the tea making chamber is of a size slightly less than the interior diameter of the tea making chamber and allows for use of the standard teabag without the string and label being attached, thus eliminating the teabag string from falling into the infusing substance during the infusing process and further eliminating the dangers of the teabag label coming in direct contact with the heating source.

Abstract: A washing implement for personal body care comprises an elongated washing rod provided with a hand grip. The washing rod has a protective cover which is secured at the inner end of the washing rod to the hand grip. The protective cover opens at the top and is designed to be slipped down along the washing rod and over the hand grip to form a protective sleeve for the hand of the person using the washing rod.

Abstract: An intrusion alarm system is described which includes multiple-input intruder sensing circuits, the outputs of which are fed via separate logic NAND circuits, to bistable latch circuits which then supply signals to an alarm latch circuit. One of the bistable latch circuits is coupled to the alarm latch via an entry delay timer, and all latches incorporate noise suppression circuitry. The intrusion system has a remote arming and resetting circuit which provides automatic testing of on-board status monitor lamps. This intrusion system is interconnected to an adjust fire/emergency sensing and control unit.

Abstract: An obstacle device for mini-golf courses comprises at least one movable obstacle which is mounted on one of a plurality of course sections adapted to be connected to each other. The obstacle device has an elongated supporting element which carries at least one obstacle member pivotable about a vertical shaft so that it may be moved from a position in which it blocks a portion of the course into a position where it is recessed in a cavity provided in a post of the course at a higher level and does not block the course.

Abstract: An oscillatory mechanism, designed particularly for use in a laboratory shaker, includes a member, or a system of members, arranged to perform oscillatory movements, the transmission of power to that member or system, whereby its oscillation is caused or maintained, being by means of fluid pressure, the mechanism comprising means defining one or more chambers each having an inlet connectible to a source of pressurized fluid and an outlet through which, when open, pressurized fluid supplied to each chamber can escape; the respective chamber being expansible under the action of said pressurized fluid when each said outlet is closed; and wherein the motion of the oscillatory member or system in operation cyclically opens and closes each said chamber outlet, the consequent expansion of the respective chamber upon closure of the outlet delivering an impulse to said member or system whereby the oscillation thereof is caused or maintained.

Abstract: A specimen collecting apparatus, with variations, providing for all, or part, or combinations of the following:Self-contained in-line transport and culture container that maintains the sealed state of its chamber within, before, during, and after the entry of the collected specimen.Aerobic or anaerobic swab devices, with swab rods of varying lengths and curvatures.Removable protective tubes for taking specimen from its existing environment, directly to sealed chamber without passing specimen thru ambient air.Self-contained transport media.Self-contained culture media and means for inoculating specimen on said media within said chamber for direct placement in incubators.Self opening protective tips for contamination protection during insertion and withdrawal from specimen locations.All parts, integratable for an assembly for collecting and maintaining specimen, and the method of operation of same.

Abstract: A device for use by handicapped persons in applying garments to the lower extremities of the body comprising a garment supporting element including elements to hold the garment on the supporting means and a handle pivotally attached to the supporting means so that the handle may be folded over the supporting means when the device is not in use. The handle also carries a plurality of apertures to permit the handle to be adjusted relative to the hoop to compensate for the height of the user or the length of arms or the degree of flexibility that the user may have.

Abstract: A device for increasing the muscular strength of certain muscles within the vaginal region of the human body. The device includes means whereby the user is enabled to increase a radial type pressure as an axial withdrawal force is applied to the device by resilient means which are controlled by the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a multi-level assembly of flexible nets for supporting flowers to allow them to grow in straight, upstanding shape through the mesh openings of the nets which are raised progressively to different levels of height above a flower bed in accordance with the growth of the flowers. A plurality of nets are laid one upon another with their mesh openings substantially correctly aligned with one another and placed on a frame in a vertically zigzag folded pattern. Then, the nets are, together with the frame, immersed in a bath of a heating medium, such as hot water, to allow the nets to undergo thermal contraction, whereby the mesh openings of the nets are correctly with one another. The nets are, together with the frame, removed from the bath and allowed to cool. Then, the nets are removed from the frame with their folded shape substantially in order.

Abstract: A brick laying device comprises a rectangular frame which fits on a course of bricks. The central aperture in the frame defines a trough for a mortar layer to be laid on top of the bricks. At least one longitudinally extending member of the frame has a right angle section, of which one arm extends inwardly over the top of the bricks, and the other extends downwardly on the outside of the bricks to locate the frame on the bricks and to check the linearity of the course.