Abstract: A grill, which may be portable, includes an open support lattice surrounded by upright walls. The support lattice forms a plurality of adjoining bays each dimensioned to receive and support a fuel module in the form of a disposable non-flammable tray and charcoal briquettes within the tray. Various food supporting devices may be used to support items of food to be cooked on the upper edges of the walls or at selected lower levels by use of terraced steps cut out in the walls. By placing fuel modules in less than all the bays, both the size and the shape of the cooking area can be selected. When no fuel modules are used a flat plate can be placed on top of the support lattice on which conventional briquettes can be placed.

Abstract: Corner paint pad assembly (10) includes a painting pad (12) having a handle (14) which are interconnected by a rotatable joint including ears (28) and (30) on the rear surfaces (24) and (26) of the pad (12), each ear having a hole therein (28) and (30), there being an axle (62) received in said holes. The handle (14) includes a tubular stretch (48) adjacent the tip end (46), the tubular stretch (48) being internally threaded, there being a shank (50) and a base (44) of the hollow handle (14) which are tapered to receive the end of an extension pole or, in the alternative, a threaded insert (70) which may receive the threaded end of an extension pole.

Abstract: An apparatus for deagglomerating powder in a mixture of liquid and powder which contains a mixing tank, an agitator disposed within the mixing tank, and a baffle. The agitator disk is circular, has an diameter of from about 6 to about 40 inches, and contains a multiplicity of compound teeth radially and removably attached to its perimeter. Each of the compound teeth is comprised of a substrate to which is attached a front plate, a top plate, and a bottom plate; each of these plates preferably consists of a ceramic material, such as tungsten carbide.

Abstract: A construction improvement for car-used windshield washers, in which the connecting rod of a windshield wiper arm is inserted into a tube at its front end and has a passage formed therein as well as a plurality of water holes disposed on its rear end. The connecting rod is held on the connecting portion of a block so that water can flow through the passage provided inside the rod and sprinkle over the windshield from the water holes along with the rocking motion of a windshield wiper arm, obtaining an effective cleaning for the dust on the windshield.

Abstract: The unitary paint brush comprises a paint brush body attached to a handle. The body defines a cavity adapted for receiving a group of bristles inserted therein. A pair of hinged releasable flaps project over the cavity to abut the bristles when moved to a closed position. The bristles are released by moving the flaps into an open position. A pair of springs are urging the flaps into the closed position.

Abstract: A method for mixing propellant charge powder rods utilizes a flexible band (1) which is suspended freely in a loop between two paraxial, radially spaced drums (2,3) and is movable back and forth between the drums (2,3) by drive motors (6,7). The band (1) is finite or endless and movable in reciprocation between two winding drums (4,5) each adapted to be driven in either direction of rotation by the drive motors (6,7). The propellant charge powder rods (30) are placed in the suspended loop of the flexible band (1)--transversely of the longitudinal direction of the band--and are mixed together by moving the band (1) back and forth. The length of the loop is increased and decreased periodically during this process.

Abstract: A windshield wiper frame connector for use in a windshield wiper assembly for motor vehicles which accommodates different size wiper arms, wherein the connector includes a pair of slots, two pair of raised portions and a pair of stoppers on a pair of sidewalls for forming two pairs of spaces, upper and lower elongated seats, and an angled slot and a hole, whereby a hook type wiper arm, or a pin type wiper arm, or a bayonet type wiper arm can be easily connected to a blade unit.

Abstract: A brew basket is disclosed for use with conventional coffee makers of the type found in offices, hotels and restaurants. The brew basket is configured to receive ground coffee in the form of a compressed wafer and provides increased extraction of coffee solids from compressed coffee wafers and a significant reduction in extraction time. The basket has a relatively shallow profile and is dimensioned so that when the brew basket is mounted on the coffee maker, substantially the entire upper surface of the compressed wafer disposed in the brew basket is wetted by the hot water discharged from the spray head of the coffee maker. In addition the basket is dimensioned to maintain a water level in the brew basket sufficient to at least partially submerge the compressed wafer during extraction, to further increase extraction efficiency.

Abstract: A bread slicing device designed specifically for use with cylindrical shaped loaves produced by home automatic bread baking machines. Consists of two parts: a clear cover with built in knife holder and a bread slicing holder. The bread slicing holder is rigid, monolithic in construction, featuring two opposing parallel slicing guide side walls which extend vertically from the base of the unit along two lateral outside edges. The lower two-thirds of the side walls interior surfaces are concave forming with the concave bottom a tapered sharply textured cylindrical cavity. Bread is inserted into slicing holder by way of a wedged shaped entry chute. The chute momentarily compresses the bread as it is inserted into the top of the bread slicing holder. Bread loaf then expands, firmly securing it into the cylindrical cavity. The slicing guide side walls are divided by a series of evenly spaced parallel vertical slots. These slots guide the cutting implement permitting accurate and consistent slices to be produced.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a heat-shrinkable foam tube, wherein a two-layer tube, having a foaming agent outer layer and non-foaming inner layer, is extruded and heated simultaneously to activate the foaming agent. This process condenses the two steps of extruding and foaming into one step and results in a tube which can be manufactured to exact and consistent standards and be shrunk onto a pipe at a low temperature in a short period of time.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel finger toothbrush. More particularly, this invention pertains to a unique toothbrush which can fit on a finger of a user for brushing the teeth of the user or the teeth of another human being or animal. The invention comprises a base portion with a plurality of bristles secured in and protruding from the base. A first curved finger gripping device extends from a first side of the base away from the bristles with a second curved finger gripping device extending from a second side of the base away from the bristles. Friction enhancing device are formed in the interior facing surfaces of the first and second finger gripping device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flow limiter for hydraulic fluid, comprising at least one passage (14) of reduced cross-section for the hydraulic fluid, the passage (14) being formed between two contiguous pieces (12, 22) each having at lest one planar face (10, 20), at least one of the two pieces (12, 22) comprising a recessed impression (14) on at least one of its faces (10, 20), the passage (14) of reduced cross section being defined within the space situated between the recessed impression (14) formed on a planar face (10) on one of the pieces and the planar face (20) of the other piece (22), the length of the passage (14) of reduced cross section being adjustable by varying the relative position of the two pieces (12, 22). According to the invention, a pierced hole (18) is made in one piece (12) at one end of the passage (14) of reduced cross section and in that a pierced hole (24) is made in the other piece (22) at the other end of the passage (14) of reduced cross section.

Abstract: A disposable system provides means for caterers to transport, serve, and display food, although the system may also be used by campers, picnickers, or the like. A plurality of bent wires and plastic legs are provided in a kit form which may be assembled into a knock-down stand for supporting disposable utensils. The plastic legs are shaped to avoid marring a supporting structure. The bent wires also support a suitable burner.

Abstract: A by-pass valve is affixed to the housing of a self-propelled submersible swimming pool cleaner. The pool cleaner includes a head having a suction chamber in which a propulsion mechanism is located for operation by water flow into the suction chamber. The head incorporates a by-pass inlet to the suction chamber downstream from the propulsion mechanism. A leaf spring biases the closure member over the by-pass inlet. The tension of the spring is overcome by the suction in the suction chamber when water flow into the chamber is blocked. Water flow is thus allowed into the suction chamber via the by-pass inlet. By placing the spring controlled by-pass inlet into the system flow stream between the cleaner propulsion mechanism and the system weir in the typical pool system, there is a small probability of the by-pass becoming blocked.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing and dispensing two-component substances comprises o cartridges 12, 13 with pistons 15, 16 which are displaceable in the cartridges and are advanced in common by an electrical motor via a magnetic clutch 30. When the motor is switched off and the clutch 30 disengaged, the pistons 15, 16 may be manually retracted and re-advanced by means of a handwheel 33. At the end of the manual retracting motion, the pistons 15, 16 entrain a shaft 18 which serves to drive a mixer head 14, so that when the pistons 15, 16 become free of the cartridges 12, 13, the shaft 18 disengages from the mixer head 14. The cartridges 12, 13 including the mixer head 14 connected thereto may then be removed as a unit from the apparatus and replaced by another unit in order to exchange the emptied cartridges or, with the cartridges being still filled partially, to use the apparatus for preparing a different substance.

Abstract: A desk top cleaner for cleaning dust from the top of a table includes a crankshaft rotatably supported in a frame. A broom is formed with an elongated slot to engage with the crankshaft and has its upper end portion fitted in a supporting portion formed in the frame and its lower end portion equipped with a brush. A drive mechanism is provided for transmitting a rotating force from a drive source to the crankshaft. A dust case for accommodating the dust swept by the broom is included in the frame.

Abstract: A combination beverage brewer with cold water supply is embodied within a housing, to furnish a beverage brewing segment, at one or more locations within a housing, and a water chilling or cooling supply disposed in association therewith, to supply cold water as required. The beverage brewer incorporates a hot water tank, a heating element therein, which hot water is delivered to a spray head for deposit onto a basket of grounds for brewing of a beverage. In addition, hot water may be tapped from the tank and delivered to a faucet for direct dispensing. The cold water segment of the apparatus includes a cold water tank, a cooling rod therein, cooling module for operating as a heat pump for extracting warmth from the water to heat it, and delivery of the extracted heat to a heat sink, for dissipation.

Abstract: A beverage mixing apparatus such as a coffee grinding and brewing apparatus is provided with an operative cycle which includes the transportation of a predetermined amount of a solid component of a beverage mixture from a storage compartment to and through a passageway into a mixing chamber wherein the liquid component of the beverage is mixed with the solid component. The apparatus further comprises a valve assembly associated with the passageway and having a plate movable between a closed position and an open position. The plate defines an opening which registers with the passageway when the plate is in the open position. A solenoid is connected to the plate for moving the plate between its open and closed positions. When the plate is in its open position the solid component can be moved from the storage chamber to the mixing chamber. In the closed position, the plate prevents moisture from the mixture from moving to the storage chamber through the passageway.

Abstract: A stirrer having a complete enamel coating suitable for mounting in a closed coverless reaction vessel, being provided with paddles which are detachably fixed on the shaft for operation inside the vessel by an enamel to enamel coupling obtained by simple pressure without the use of gaskets.

Abstract: A temperature control device and method for controlling water temperature for a fill water displacement beverage brewing apparatus. The beverage brewing apparatus includes a heated water reservoir for retaining a predetermined volume of water in a heated state and a thermostatically controlled heating device for heating the water in the heated water reservoir within a predetermined temperature range. The temperature control device includes a brew cycle activation device which automatically overrides the thermostatically controllable heating device for activating the heating device upon initiation of the brew cycle. The method heats fill water introduced into the reservoir regardless of the temperature of the water retained in the heated reservoir to reduce the time required to heat fill water to a desired water temperature.