Abstract: The present invention is a compound containing a cactus extract, which moistens the skin when the skin is exposed to radiation, such as during radiation treatment, sunburn or other types of burns.

Abstract: Suction tube for surgical purposes, especially for draining of body compartments in connection to an organ, which suction tube comprise an inner tube, whose distal end is open and a outer tube, provided with a peripherally arranged holes, wherein the outer tube exhibits a cross section having at least one essentially flat side, being faced against the organ during draining.

Abstract: The reflective backing of a mirror or other product is marked, engraved, scribed, or decorated with a laser beam to produce a decorative display assembly with a laser-enhanced image thereon. This can be accomplished by vaporizing part of the reflective backing with the laser beam. Multi-colored laser-enhanced images can also be formed. The decorative display assembly can also be backlit or back colored to further enhance the attractiveness of the laser-enhanced image.

Abstract: The activation and deactivation of a plurality of irrigation valves in accordance with instructions programmed into a programmable irrigation valve controller can be overridden by signals received by the controller from a remote control unit or a rain delay input. This allows remote control of sprinklers from the area being watered rather than at the location of the controller. This allows sprinkler repairs, modifications to watering patterns, and turning off and back on of sprinklers such as to access a portion of the irrigated area to be done without running back and forth to the controller. It also allows easy delay of watering after a rain. A construction of a programmable controller apparatus allows covering of wires extending from the apparatus and funneling of such wires into a conduit.

Abstract: An electroluminescent keypad, and an electroluminescent lamp, with integral shunts, for use in a keypad. The keypad includes a circuit board that includes a plurality of contact pairs adapted to complete circuits to perform keypad functions. An elastomeric sheet that includes a plurality of key elements overlays the circuit board. Each of the key elements is associated with one of the contact pairs. An electroluminescent lamp with a plurality of integral shunts corresponding to the contact pairs is positioned between the elastomeric sheet and the circuit board.

Abstract: A railroad car hatch cover assembly includes a ring which defines a car body opening. There is a peripheral seal attached to the ring. A hatch cover is hinged to the ring and closes upon the ring and seal to close the car body opening. There is a lock assembly generally diametrically opposite the hinge for securing the hatch cover in a closing position. The hatch cover has a peripheral sloping side wall and an integral top. The side wall has a bottom surface. The angle between the sloping peripheral side wall and the side wall bottom surface is constant over the interior periphery of the cover. The height of the sloping side wall gradually increases from a minimum height adjacent the hinge and lock assembly to a maximum height generally midway between the hinge and lock assembly.

Abstract: A programmable controller apparatus and method for irrigation systems including at least one removable control module interfacing with internal circuitry of the programmable controller for activating and operating a plurality of watering valves. A housing unit is provided for the control module and the internal control circuitry of the programmable controller to prevent water contamination and unauthorized tampering. The removable control module interfaces with the internal circuitry of the controller to provide variations in programmable watering sequences for individual watering stations. The control module, in addition, comprises multiple programming keys and switches that provide interaction between the electronic programming and manual programming features which function in combination to provide easier programming options for the irrigation controller.

Abstract: A method for marking thin walled tubes, using a laser. To prevent warping and to maintain the structural integrity of the tube, coolant is injected into the tube while it is being marked. To further prevent warping and to maintain the structural integrity of the tube, each mark is composed of a set of relatively thin marks, each separated by an unmarked space, and the tube and the laser are moved relative to one another so that the series of marks can be generated.

Abstract: A railroad car hatch cover assembly includes a ring which defines an opening in the railroad car body and a peripheral seal which is attached to the ring. There is a hatch cover for closing upon the ring and seal to close the car body opening. The hatch cover is hinged to the car body adjacent one side of the ring and on the opposite side there is a cam lock assembly which locks the hatch cover in a closing position upon the ring and seal. The cam lock assembly provides for three different locking positions. There is a full locked position in which the hatch cover is closed upon the ring and seal. There is an initial hatch cover release position in which the hatch cover is movable a limited distance away from the ring and seal. There is a full release position in which the cam lock permits full pivotal movement of the hatch cover about the hinge.

Abstract: Adapter pipe fittings for sprinkler or drip-type irrigation systems are improved by providing a two piece pipe fitting, a manifold piece that snaps into a body piece and swivels therein. Such adapter pipe fittings are often required to be installed adjacent to a sidewalk, wall, fence, or other like obstruction whereby there is restricted clearance especially if the pipe fittings has laterally projecting offtake connector members extending therefrom. The fitting is especially well adapted for installation at sites where there is restricted clearance because the body piece can swivel about the manifold piece and the manifold piece is therefore not required to turn while the adapter pipe fitting body piece is being screwed onto an underground piping system.

Abstract: An odor-removing filter approaching the carbon-particle loading of a filled filter may be formed by spraying or roll coating the adhesive against one or more faces of a porous, fibrous, air-permeable mat, depositing carbon particles or other odor-removing particles of a size to compliment the void size of the mat on the adhesive coated face or faces of the mat and then driving the particles into the mat and thereafter curing the adhesive to lock the particles into the mat. The adhesive bond of the particles to the mat is improved by working the particles against the adhesive-coated fibers. An overspray of an adhesive may also be utilized to further improve the retention of the particles. So-called "clean filters" may be produced according to the method disclosed, wherein a white, fibrous mat has carbon particles loaded on one face while the opposite face appears white or "clean". An indicator filter notifying the user when the filter becomes grease laden may also be formed following the methods used herein.

Abstract: A rainfall detector for detecting a set amount of rainfall and which functions to interrupt the normal operation of an automatic sprinkler or irrigation system upon detection of the set amount of rainfall, includes a rainwater-collection tray having an opening and mounted so that the portion of the opening exposed to rainwater during a rainstorm is adjustable. The rainwater-collection tray may be slidably mounted below a detector housing which houses a switching circuit with two sensors extending into the tray, and which serves to block the rain from the open portion of the tray beneath the housing. Thus, the portion of the tray opening exposed to rain is adjusted by sliding the tray so that more or less of the opening is covered by the housing. The tray may also include posts extending upwardly from the bottom of the tray and terminating below the top edge of the tray for preventing debris from filling the rain-collecting portion of the tray.

Abstract: Adapter pipe fittings for sprinkler or drip-type irrigation systems are improved by providing take-off fittings that snap into offtake connector members of the pipe body of such an adapter pipe fitting and swivels therein. The offtake portion of such a take-off swivel fitting preferably includes a screw threaded tip backed by a barb for enhancing holding of attached offtake tubing during the swivel action and for enabling selected take-off swivel fittings in manifold type units to be closed off by screwing plugs onto the threaded terminal ends thereof.

Abstract: The invention is a weather resistant container in the nature of a box with tightly fitting cover for a timer unit controlling operation of an irrigation system and associated transformer and electrical plug. The container also houses an electrical receptacle and wiring. Such container is adapted to receive electrical power from an outside source through conventional electrical conduit. Within the box are provided supports for a removable, broad partition wall defining a relatively shallow wiring compartment between the back wall and the partition wall and a relatively deep compartment between the partition wall and open front of the box for housing the timer components.

Abstract: An odor-removing filter approaching the carbon- particle loading of a filled filter may be formed by spraying or roll coating the adhesive against one or more faces of a porous, fibrous, air-permeable mat, depositing carbon particles or other odor-removing particles of a size to compliment the void size of the mat on the adhesive coated face or faces of the mat and then driving the particles into the mat and thereafter curing the adhesive to lock the particles into the mat. The adhesive bond of the particles to the mat is improved by working the particles against the adhesive- coated fibers. An overspray of an adhesive may also be utilized to further improve the retention of the particles. So-called "clean filters" may be produced according to the method disclosed, wherein a white, fibrous mat has carbon particles loaded on one face while the opposite face appears white or "clean". An indicator filter notifying the user when the filter becomes grease laden may also be formed following the methods used herein.

Abstract: Pre-formed millwork article for attachment to a building wherein the article has a core composed of a rigid filler material, such as an expandable polystyrene, a body portion composed of a rigid foamed material, such as polyurethane, and an exterior coating layer. The body has an inner surface which is adjacent to the core and an outer surface. The exterior coating layer is adjacent to the outer surface of the body. The coating layer can be a paint. The method for manufacturing the pre-formed millwork article consists of: (a) spraying an exterior coating layer in a mold; (b) heating the coating layer and the mold in order to cure the coating layer; (c) pouring a foamable material in the mold over the cured coating layer; (d) placing a filler material into the mold over the foamable material; (e) alllowing the foamed material to foam and harden; and (f) removing the article from the mold.

Abstract: Pre-formed millwork article for attachment to a building or the like wherein the article has a core composed of a rigid filler material, such as an expandable polystyrene, a body portion composed of a rigid foamed material, such as polyurethane, and an exterior coating layer. The body has an inner surface which is adjacent to the core and an outer surface. The exterior coating layer is adjacent to the outer surface of the body. The coating layer can be a paint. The method for manufacturing the pre-formed millwork article consists of: (a) spraying an exterior coating layer in a mold; (b) heating the coating layer and the mold in order to cure the coating layer; (c) pouring a foamed material in the mold over the cured coating layer; (d) placing a filler material into the mold over the foamed material; (e) allowing the foamed material to harden; and (f) removing the article from the mold.