Abstract: A durable, low-density, high performance insulating material is suitable for use as a high temperature thermal and acoustic insulation. The insulation includes fiber batting made with non-thermoplastic fibers or blends of fibers such as aramid fibers and ceramic fibers, which are bound within at least some interstices by high temperature non-flammable thermoplastic binder such as polyphenylene sulfide. In addition, a fireblocking layer can be provided on at least one surface of the insulation to further improve fire ablation or flame retardance.

Abstract: A spray gun valve assembly is disclosed together with a method for manufacturing the same, wherein a spray gun valve plug (e.g., made of materials such as a tungsten carbide alloy) is secured to an end of an elongate valve stem (e.g., made of stainless steal) by resistance welding techniques. A holder component may act as an intermediate component between the plug and the valve stem, wherein the plug is resistance welded to the holder, and the holder is secured to the end of the valve stem. The method for securing the holder and the valve stem components can provide both a weld and a mechanical lock to secure these components together.

Abstract: A durable, low-density, high performance insulating material is suitable for use as a high temperature thermal and acoustic insulation. The insulation includes fiber batting made with non-thermoplastic fibers or blends of fibers such as aramid fibers and ceramic fibers, which are bound within at least some interstices by high temperature non-flammable thermoplastic binder such as polyphenylene sulfide. In addition, a fireblocking layer can be provided on at least one surface of the insulation to further improve fire ablation or flame retardance.

Abstract: An apparatus for programming a hearing aid comprises an indexed pill that substantially replicates the dimensions of a hearing aid battery and battery compartment door. The apparatus, comprises two power contacts on opposite exterior sides of the indexed pill; and two programming contacts on opposite exterior sides of the indexed pill.

Abstract: A frozen nutritional food product and method for oral delivery of nutrients, medicinal substances and other active ingredients via absorption through the oral mucosa for systemic effect. The frozen product includes at least one active ingredient, at least one flavoring agent, preservatives, food coloring, and a balance of water as a delivery liquid. The water is subjected to a magnetic treatment process and an ozonation process to enhance delivery of the active ingredients. More particularly, a first portion of the water is magnetized to neutralize the pH, increase oxygenation, and to improve the solubility of the ingredients mixed with the water. The remaining portion of the water is sterilized by ozonation, causing oxidation of undesirable metallic ions, odor and taste producing agents, and a wide variety of organics. Ozonation further increases the dissolved oxygen content of the water.

Abstract: An apparatus for evenly distributing a layer of release oil on the surface of a fuser roller so as to prevent paper from adhering to the fuser roller in an electrophotographic heated imaging apparatus such as a printer or copier, and method for using this apparatus, is provided which includes a tank roller having a reservoir capable of retaining and delivering a release oil, an oil distribution layer surrounding the tank roller which can evenly distribute a layer of release oil along the outer surface of the tank roller, and a liquid permeation control layer made of a material such as expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene which surrounds the oil distribution layer and which further controls the delivery of a release oil onto the surface of the fuser roller.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a frozen composition containing an active ingredient. The active ingredients include but are not limited to a nutrient mixture and a medicine. In its preferred embodiment, the chemical composition contains the following ingredients: a nutrient mixture, at least one flavoring agent, preservatives, food coloring, and a balance of water. The composition can be placed in a sealed plastic bag and frozen to form a nutrient enriched ice pop. Alternatively, the composition can be frozen in-situ, either with or without a stick inserted therein. The invention also includes methods of consuming the composition.

Abstract: Protective mask communication systems are provided for use in hazardous environments, e.g., firefighting and hazardous waste clean-up operations. The systems allow wearers of protective masks working in a hazardous area to readily communicate both with each other and with personnel and automated systems outside of the area. Preferred systems provide short range radio communication between mask wearers.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a binding apparatus for the binding of paper piles, comprising a punching unit for the punching of holes in a paper pile and a binding unit for the closing of a wire ring binder having a plurality of teeth which engage in the holes of the paper pile in a binding position. The punching unit comprises a movably arranged perforator plate having a plurality of punches and a counterplate that is rigidly connected to the housing of the binding apparatus and includes openings into which the punches engage in punching position, and the binding unit comprises of two clamping plates in an essentially parallel arrangement to each other.

Abstract: An elongated cover is removably mounted to a channel guide of a jamb liner for a window unit that is mounted for movement between opened and closed positions. A balance spring in the channel guide has one portion attached to the top end of the jamb liner and an opposite end mounted to a balance shoe which frictionally engages the channel guide. The shoe is mounted to the lower end portion of the window unit. The cover includes a longitudinally elongated main body extendable within the channel guide, a resilient tube mounted to one transverse edge of the main body to abut against a channel guide side wall and rear wall to resiliently urge the main body away therefrom and a mounting joined to the main body transversely opposite the tube for forming a channel to engage a flange of the channel guide. The resilient action of the tube releaseably couples the cover to the channel guide to conceal the spring which extends above the window unit when the unit is closed or partially opened.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for limiting the force exerted on an actuating mechanism for a binding device and/or a perforating/punching device, with the actuating mechanism being comprised of a rotary shaft coupled to the corresponding movable part of the binding and/or perforating/punching device, such that a rotary motion of the shaft is converted into a translational motion of the corresponding movable part of the binding and/or perforating device. There; is provided in the actuating mechanism a coupling mechanism which performs a decoupling function automatically when the force exerted on the actuating mechanism exceeds a maximum permissible value.

Abstract: An integrated safety and communication system for attachment to a standard type of firefighter's face mask includes a command post tracking and accountability monitor, and a mask attachment having means for transmitting the amplified voice of the wearer to anybody within its audible range, and to enable communications with the command post including identification, location, vital signs such as pulse and respiratory rate, vicinity temperature, hydrocarbon monitoring and alarm signal if the wearer becomes motionless for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: An integrated platform/clamping structure for use in combination with a frame straightening system; the structure including multiple clamp assemblies slidably attached to the platform of the system for lateral movement relative to the platform. The clamp assemblies can be moved independently of one another until they are located underneath the automobile pinchweld. The clamp assemblies also have a mechanism (in the preferred embodiment, a vertically aligned piston/cylinder system) which raise each clamp relative to the platform. Once the clamp touches the pinchweld, means (in the preferred embodiment, a second, horizontally aligned piston/cylinder system) are provided to automatically fix the jaws of the clamp over the pinchweld and lock. The system also has linear measurement gauges underneath the platform and made a part of the system, with means to raise the gauges into an operable location adjacent the undercarriage of the car.

Abstract: A firestop sleeve suitable for both concrete floor and gypsum wall-board assembly including a layer of intumescent composite forming a moldable putty with a restraining layer, for wrapping around a pipe extending through the concrete floor or through the wall-board, along with a plurality of bendable tabs for depression into the wrapped layer to hold the restraining layer in position during installation.

Abstract: An aspirator syringe is provided with an operator mechanism which allows two fingers and the thumb of one hand to be used in a fist-closing direction to operate a syringe with good, steady, continuous-motion control, while permitting the other hand to be kept free to assure that the needle is kept intact in the patient. A simple mechanism for installing and removing a conventional syringe provides stability of the syringe and mechanism during aspiration and permits aspirated fluid to be dispensed either with or without removal of the syringe from the mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for relieving symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome includes restraining the elbow of the patient from movement while applying pressure to the wrist to move the wrist in a direction away from the elbow. The method further includes rotating the wrist during movement of the wrist away from the elbow.

Abstract: A jamb liner is mounted in the side jamb tracks of a window frame to mount window units of double hung windows for slidable movement between opened and closed positions. The liner includes transversely spaced channel guides, each guide mounting a guide member that is attached to the adjacent window unit. Flanges are joined to the guides for forming a close fit with the adjacent window unit while, to each guide, there is joined a wing to form a seal with the web of the adjacent jamb to block fluid flow between the window units and the side jamb from one transverse side of the unit sash to the other. The wings of the liner are arcuately curved to transversely diverge from one another in a direction toward the jamb web. The wings are of a substantially greater resiliency than the rest of the liner, said rest of the liner being semi-rigid and made of extruded plastic.

Abstract: A writing implement having an elongate body containing a writing mechanism is disclosed. The writing implement has one end that is movable beyond an end of the elongate body, exposing a writing tip. The writing implement includes a clip which cooperates with the elongate body or a member associated with the elongate body. The clip is movable to a position abutting the elongate body or member cooperating with the elongate body. The overall thickness of the clip and adjacent elongate body or member associated with the elongate body is no greater than an overall thickness of the body of the writing implement.