Abstract: This device for lifting the anode frame of an electrolysis cell for the production of aluminium comprises:

Abstract: A solid rocket propellant includes a hydroxy-terminated caprolactone ether binder and an oxidizer. The propellant may be disposed of by contacting it with an aqueous solution of 12 N NaOH or 6 N HCI at a temperature of about 140° F. for about 24 hours to decompose the binder. Solids remaining in the solution after the binder decomposes are removed.

Abstract: An electric drive assembly allows a manual downrigger to be easily converted to electric operation. The electric drive assembly includes a pair of braces which are affixed to the downrigger which are in turn connected to a bracket attached to the electric drive. The electric drive can be removed and the crank reattached for reconversion to manual operation in an easy, quick manner.

Abstract: A charger (20) for simultaneously charging a plurality of batteries (22). The charger has a number of current sources (54) each of which selectively applies charging current to a separate battery. The generation of currents by the current sources is controlled by a controller (56). The controller maintains data indicating the total amount of power that the charger has available for charging batteries. When a battery is connected to a current source, the controller determines if the charger has enough power available to charge that battery. If this evaluation is positive, the controller causes the current source to supply the charging current and adjusts the power available data for the charger downwards to reflect the dedication of power to the battery. Upon the completion of the battery charging, the controller adjusts the power available data upwardly to reflect the availability of the power previously dedicated to that battery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a toothbrush with uniform diameter bristles containing a polishing agent with a particle size of from about 0.01 &mgr;m to about 100 &mgr;m, wherein cleaning of the teeth is improved without any of the adverse side effects associated with over aggressive abrasion. An embodiment of the present invention includes a toothbrush including a handle associated with a head having at least one tuft securely affixed in or attached to the head, said tuft including a plurality of filaments comprised of (a) a thermoplastic filament base material and (b) an effective polishing amount of a polishing agent having a particle size of from about 0.1 &mgr;m to about 10 &mgr;m. Particles less than 0.1 &mgr;m can be used if aggregation occurs such that the aggregate size on bristle is described.

Abstract: An improved reeling device including a reel driven by an electric motor. The device further includes a hose having first and second ends and two electric conductors running along the entire length of the hose between the first and second ends of the hose. The hose is wound on the reel. The first end of the hose is connectable to a tool, and the second end of the hose is connected to the reeling device. The conductors at the second end of the hose extend from the hose such that one of the conductors is in communication with the motor and the other conductor is attached to a part of the reel device. A switch is connected to the conductors at a proximity of the first end of the hose and the switch is arranged to complete an electrical circuit.

Abstract: A storage system is provided for organizing, handling, and storing small electrical appliances with powercords and adapters, in an orderly and efficient manner for ease of access, and especially for handling and storing loose powercords. The system comprises a powercord storage tool, and an appliance storage container. The powercord storage tool provides efficient device for gripping, winding, and retaining a powercord. It also provides a device for attaching the tool, with powercord on it, to an electrical appliance, and alternately for attaching the tool, with powercord on it, to the outside of the appliance storage container. The appliance storage container provides a device for storing the appliance inside, and a rack on the outside for attaching and holding the tool, with powercord wound thereon, onto the outside of the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating a load compensator device for a handling gear. The load compensation device includes: a stationary internal bell housing; a mobile external bell housing which is secured at one of the ends of a handling member, from the other end of which the load is hung; and an overload pneumatic cylinder and an underload pneumatic cylinder connected to a pressure source and/or exhausted by a series of electric directional control valves. The pressure is controlled within the cylinders continuously to alter the datum position of the external bell housing that corresponds to the state of equilibrium, function of the variations in pressure which are measured at the cylinders. Changes in pressure cancels out any overload or underload effect on the load and returns the load compensator to its state of equilibrium that corresponds to the handling gear in its initial state of equilibrium.

Abstract: A system and method for generating tornadoes and other vortex phenomen in an open air, free space enviroment is disclosed. The system includes a flat surface or deck suspended above the ground, a circular hole in the center of the deck, a means for creating an updraft through the hole in the deck and fans or other air moving means for creating a swirling air flow. Preferably, the fans for swirling the air are angled approximately 45 degrees relative to the vertical axis of the updraft flow through the center hole. For swirling the air at higher elevations, as well as at ground level, a multi level fan arrangement having the layers of fans spaced relative to the deck is used. Alternatively, a single level of fans are used in conjunction with louvers or vanes for deflecting the blown air into a fan shape. In another embodiment of the present invention, tangential flow is established by using a multiplicity of tubes for returning air flow from a plenum above an updraft fan.

Abstract: A stacking reel component having cooperative locking members which when engaged with the cooperative locking members of a second reel component exert and receive axial forces in forming a reel. The reel component is formed to allow compact stacking with other reel components. The hub of the reel component is formed with a plurality of ribs, each pair of ribs defining a through slot therebetween. The hub is also provided with two pairs of apertures. When stacked, the ribs of each reel component registers with the through slots of the adjacent reel components, and the projecting cooperative locking members of each of the reel components is encompassed by a pair of accommodation apertures formed in an adjacent reel component.

Abstract: A unidirectional coupling arrangement for sense-selectively coupling the rotation of a fishing reel spool to a braking or drag arrangement. First and second relatively rotatable elements of the coupling arrangement connect by interlocking teeth which on the first element are carried by an axially-deflectable discrete rotor entrained by a surrounding ring. In the coupled sense of rotation a cam engagement between the rotor and surrounding ring keeps the rotor axially against the complementary teeth on the second rotational element. The onset of rotation in the opposite sense creates a cam engagement between the rotor and surrounding ring which slides the rotor axially away from the second element, disengaging the coupling teeth. This avoids the clicking sound associated with conventional sprung pawls in the uncoupled condition.

Abstract: A device for storing and managing an elongate flexible member having a first end and a second end includes a container, a spool, a foot plate, a retainer, and a knob. The container includes a base, a sidewall, and a first access hole. The spool is disposed within the container and includes a bottom, a top having a second access hole, and a column between the top and the bottom. The column defines a surface for wrapping the length of flexible member around so that the second end of the flexible member passes through the second access and so that the first end of the flexible member passes through the first access hole of the container. The foot plate is secured to the base of the container and includes mounting holes which extend through the foot plate. The retainer is coupled to the container and holds the spool within the container. The knob is coupled to the top of the spool and permits rotation of the spool within the container.

Abstract: A cleaning solution for removing salt, rust, old oil and grease from fishing reels employs in combination 2-butoyxethanol, the tetra sodium salt of ethylenediamine tetra acetic acid, sodium metasilicate, sodium laureth sulfate and water. Fishing reel parts are immersed in the solution in an inner container having holes in a bottom surface and enclosed by an outer container. The inner container is removed, the solution flows out and remaining solution is washed from the reel parts with water to leave clean reel parts.

Abstract: A composition and method for the treatment of wounds comprising a topical semisolid composition capable of providing a moist environment for a wound and reducing skin contraction by promoting increased water content in wounds becoming dry and reduced water content in wounds having excess exudate, wherein the topical semisolid comprises water and a polyhydric alcohol having two or more gelling agents. The topical semisolid composition is used in conjunction with antibiotic formulations.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and software product generates deformation weights for application of a deformation function on a geometric model. The user, working directly on the points of the geometric model, including its surface, defines a deformation area having a focal region fully affected by the deformation and a falloff region only partially affected by the deformation. Deformation weights are then automatically calculated for all points in the regions affected by the deformation, using a technique that creates a smooth and natural decrease in weights from the focal region to the falloff region. Several options are available to the user to control and monitor deformation weight calculations and weighted blending, and to visualize the deformation weights themselves.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided an inbred corn plant designated 91INH2. This invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the inbred corn plant 91INH2, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing the inbred plant 91INH2 with itself or with another corn plant, such as another inbred. This invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred plant 91INH2 with another corn plant, such as another inbred, and to crosses with related species. This invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of the inbred corn plant 91INH2, and also to the RFLP and genetic isozyme typing profiles of inbred corn plant 91INH2.

Abstract: A reel assembly comprised of a core having threaded ends and end flanges attached to the threaded ends. The flanges are adapted to be attached to or removed from the threaded ends of the core for retaining the material rolled onto the core. A locking web is provided on the flanges and a locking tab is provided on the core to hold the flanges securely to the core when the reel is to be used. The locking mechanism comprises a locking tab having an inclined edge disposed to extend out from each end of the core and a mating web including an inclined edge disposed on the flanges. When the flanges are fully threaded onto the core, the inclined edge of the web engages the inclined edge of the tab to prevent inadvertent unthreading.