Abstract: A window wiper comprising an arm having an end rotatably mounted near a window glass, a sliding member supporting a reciprocally slidable along the arm, a loop-like control cable connected to the sliding member, a mechanism for actuating the arm to reciprocally rotate, and a mechanism for actuating the control cable to reciprocally slide the sliding member in synchronization with the motion of the arm, whereby the window glass can be swept with a single arm.

Abstract: An air pocket is often formed in fluid (F) in the pitcher (14) of a blender around the rotating mixing blade assembly (24) thereof. The air pocket is of a cross-sectional size defined by an air channel defining member, shown in the form of a bearing housing (23) of the mixing blade assembly (24). After the pitcher (14) is filled with the fluid (F), the plunger portion (12) of an accessory (10) is positioned adjacent to and above the mixing blade assembly (24) and maintained free of contact with the pitcher (14). The plunger portion (12) is of a cross-sectional size approximately the cross-sectional size of the air channel defining member and prevents the formation of the air pocket in the fluid (F) around the blade assembly (24).

Abstract: A vehicular window cleaning apparatus having a wiper arm, wiper blade and drive means therefor in combination with a scrubber for intensifying the cleaning effort of the wiper blade. The scrubber is detachably connected to the wiper blade. An adjustment means is provided for rotating the wiper blade relative to the wiper arm for selectively and sequentially positioning the wiper blade and scrubber against an associated windshield.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for releasing a heat-activated gas from a heat activated gas-emitting medium in response to application of heat. The invention relates specifically to an apparatus and a method for flavoring foods during a cooking process. The apparatus consists of a housing made of a thermally conductive material and a pyrolytic or combustible cartridge which is removably inserted into the housing.

Abstract: A mixing drum unit for mixing a plastic resin and an aggregate includes a metal support drum and a plastic liner resting in the drum. An outer cover is secured to the drum overlying the outer end of the liner. The liner includes a cylindrical portion telescoped into the drum extending outwardly to an outer frustoconical portion having an outer end opening. The liner has a V-shaped shallow base which promotes mixing and ease of cleaning. The drum and liner include telescoping drive paddles which extend axially throughout the liner and project radially for coupling. The liner drive paddles extend into the outer frustoconical liner portion. The liner paddles have a radial wall and an inclined wall with an inner apex. The paddles are asymmetrically arranged about the drum and liner with at least one paddle spaced asymmetrically between the two adjacent paddles. The drum paddle is a metal plate projecting radially into the triangular liner paddle for direct coupling therebetween.

Abstract: A mixing vessel with a rotatable drive member for driving a mixer through a coupling mechanism such that the mixer orbits or revolves about a first axis (A) while at the same time rotates about a second axis (B) disposed radially of and substantially parallel to said first axis (A). The mixer rotates about axis (B) at a rotational speed of between 200 to 1,000 rpm while orbiting about axis (A) at a rotational sped of between 20 to 200 rpm. A second mixer in the form of a mixer plow is fixed to the rotatable drive member for rotation about axis (A).

Abstract: A method of processing a highly viscous material comprises the steps of spinning the material in a homogenizer to reduce it to a creamy fluent consistency, flowing the creamy material wholly by gravity down into an upper centrifuge stage, centrifuging the creamy material in the upper centrifuge stage into a solids fraction and a liquid fraction, flowing the solids fraction wholly by gravity down into a lower centrifuge stage, and centrifuging the solids fraction in the lower centrifuge stage. These steps can all take continuously with the material being fed in at one end and the solid and liquid fractions obtained at the opposite lower end. Prior to spinning the material a liquid is added to it to reduce its viscosity and increase its homogeneity. This liquid can be the recirculated liquid fraction obtained in the first centrifuge stage. In accordance with this invention the recirculated liquid fraction is heated to 40.degree. C. to 70.degree. C. before introducing it into the homogenizer.

Abstract: A metallic windscreen wiper connecting element comprising an elongate first part having screw connecting means for detachably connecting the first part to a straight wiper arm end portion having cooperating screw holes, a second part spaced from and generally parallel to the first part, detachably connectible to a wiper adaptor, and a reinforced connecting web joining the first and second parts.

Abstract: In a centrifuge for the separation of solids from liquid in which concentrated solids are discharged from radial nozzles at the periphery, there is provided an concentrated solids underflow discharge control apparatus which senses an increased concentration of solids in the underflow and adjusts the flow of the recycle stream as a result thereof to prevent solids from spilling over into the effluent overflow. A sensing chamber and a control module having a flow interference device is utilized to measure a set level backup. Any alteration of said level is detected by a level sensor which sends a signal to a level indicator control and in turn controls the opening and closing of a recycle line valve which controls underflow.

Abstract: A rotating keyboard cleaner includes a container having openings at the top and at the bottom, and a removable cap that fits frictionally over the top opening. Inside the container is a plurality of units, each unit including a capsule with a cleaning head member fixedly joined to and projecting from the capsule. These units fit frictionally atop one another in a nesting relationship inside the container with the cleaning head member of one unit being received within a hollow opening in another unit.

Abstract: Apparatus for covering an opening in a pipe and sealing a gas or fluid leak includes first and second pipe engaging blocks coupled to a frame. With the second block fixedly mounted to the frame and the first block movable along the frame by means of a hydraulic cylinder coupled thereto, the first block is positioned over and seals the leak under the force of hydraulic pressure. The frame includes first and second mounting arrangements for attaching an articulated boom such as on a backhoe to either an end of the frame (for positioning the apparatus in a generally upright orientation) or to an intermediate portion of the frame (for positioning the apparatus in an inclined orientation). The position of the second block along the length of the frame is adjustable depending upon the diameter of the pipe. A guide rod couples the movable first block to the frame to ensure linear displacement of the first block and proper alignment between the first and second blocks during engagement of the pipe.

Abstract: A device for limiting a leak in the event of a rupture in pipework (1, 2), the device being characterized in that it comprises two flanges (4, 5) mounted on the pipework on respective sides of a section (3) of the pipework to be protected, the two flanges being assembled to each other by assembly means (10, 11) including members (12) having axial resilience leaving the duct free to expand axially, each flange including means (6, 7, 8, 9) for securing it axially on the pipework, and being itself constituted merely by two half-collars (5A, 5B) that are assembled together.

Abstract: A beverage extraction machine in which powdered material such as coffee is mixed with hot water in an extraction chamber which is mounted over a beverage receiver with a filter mounted between them. High pressure air is supplied into the beverage receiver and passes up through the filter to agitate the hot water and powdered material in the extraction chamber. Then air is sucked from the beverage receiver and drums the brewed coffee from the extraction chamber through the filter into the beverage receiver where it is discharged to a cup. A pressure sensor can be used to control the application of the high and low pressure air.

Abstract: A mixer apparatus includes a container having a first shaft diametrically directed through the container, with the first shaft including first and second blades mounted to the shaft oriented parallel to the shaft, with third and fourth shafts mounted coaxially aligned relative to opposed ends of the first shaft, with the third and fourth shafts including respective right and left hand threads directed into the container to project fluid from the threads back into the container preventing such fluids from expressing exteriorly of the container during mixing.

Abstract: A method for water leakage prevention in a portion connecting a first pipeline to a second pipeline having one end thereof in communication with a portion of the first pipeline is provided. This method includes the steps of passing elastically deformable drawing means from the other end of the second pipeline to one end of the first pipeline; engaging an impermeable cut-off member, having an expandable hose portion and a flange portion provided integrally with one end of the hose portion, with the drawing means at one end of the first pipeline at the hose portion; drawing the cut-off member into the first and second pipelines by drawing back the hose portion of the drawing means toward the other end of the second pipeline; and disposing the cut-off member in the first and second pipelines, so that the flange portion is positioned within the first pipeline and the hose portion extends within the second pipeline.

Abstract: A washing device for scrubbing the body includes an elongate washing member formed of a plurality of inter-looped quadrate or box-like links. The gripping handles in the form of loops are connected to the end-most links of the chain-like washing member. Each link is formed of a tube gathered along its axis to provide a plurality of circular or cylindrical undulating layers spaced from each other in a radial direction. The length of the tube and the number of layers are selected to provide a desired width of the loop and to substantially fill the loop in the radial direction when in a relaxed condition. Preferably, the links are formed of fine polymeric filaments arranged in an open netting mesh, such as polyethylene netting.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for closing off fluid passages is disclosed. The arrangement includes first and second closure members inserted one behind the other in the fluid passage, the second closure member slidably fit into the passage with a clearance and positioning against a sealing shoulder in the fluid passage so that abraded particles caused by press fitting of the first closure member behind the second closure member can not get into the fluid passage.

Abstract: A cleaning tool for preparing the surfaces of pipes and fittings for soldering, welding or gluing comprises a base and a pair of opposing prongs. The tool further includes a distal set of replaceable brushes for cleaning the inner surfaces of pipes or fittings and a proximal set of replaceable abrasive pads for cleaning the outer surfaces of pipes and fittings. The tool is configured to accommodate pipes and fittings of a variety of diameters.

Abstract: A brush holder for a replaceable interdental brush having a body portion and a gripping member mounted on the body portion and movable relative to it. The stem of a brush can be inserted into the holder and is retained between opposed surfaces of the body portion and gripping member. Preferably the opposed surfaces may be textured or have ribs. Optionally the holder is adapted to retain the brush in a variety of orientations.

Abstract: A foot scrub mat which includes a flexible base and a replaceable pad. The flexible base and the replaceable pad are preferably made of an antislip material. The base has an interior cut-out area of selected dimensions. The replaceable pad has a bristled area which has the general dimensions of the cut-out area and which is exposed when the pad is aligned beneath the cut-out area. Preferably the replaceable pad has an exterior rim which lies under the base when the pad is placed beneath and aligned with the cut-out area.