Abstract: A method of monitoring a web for tears occurring inside a dryer of a web-fed printing machine includes measuring the temperature of a running web by a thermal monitoring device in the proximity of an inlet to the dryer, and actuating a safety device when a sudden increase in the temperature of the web is detected by the thermal monitoring device; and device for performing the method.

Abstract: An automatic flag unfurling apparatus for use on a flag pole contains a ribbed, lightweight, hollow tube containing strategically located notches in a longitudinal rib extruded integral with the parent plastic tube. Plastic cable ties, inserted into the flags eyelets, engage the notches and retain the flag in its preferable free-flying position. A lower friction reducing washer and retaining collar are firmly positioned on a stationary flag pole to prevent the tube/flag combination from sliding down the pole. The tube/flag combination is free to swivel due to wind forces acting on the tube/flag combination, and regardless of wind direction, freely swivels allowing the flag to remain in an unfurled state.

Abstract: The present invention is a signaling device for indicating passage of a pig through a pipeline. The device attaches to the pipeline by means of a nipple welded to the pipeline. As a pig travels past the device, an actuator of the device which hangs down into the pipeline is pushed upward by the pig. The actuator causes a spring biased plunger located within the device to move upward, causing a polar magnet attached to the plunger's upper end to approach a rotatable magnetic indicator ball. The ball is colored black on an upper half which is initially visible through a clear dust cover provided on the device and is colored yellow on a lower half. The upper half of the ball is of opposite polarity and the lower half is of like polarity to the polar magnet.

Abstract: There is provided a small apparatus for disposing of body wastes. The apparatus includes a stirring chamber which is connected to a discharge opening of a toilet bowl, and in which the body wastes and the absorbent are mixed together; and a rotary heating kiln which is formed together with the stirring chamber, and which has a heater for further heating and drying the mixture in the stirring chamber. The body wastes which have been heated, dried and solidified are stored in a storing portion and are collected. Thus, the apparatus is capable of quickly disposing of the body wastes, and of readily handling the solid wastes after the body wastes have been disposed, and of preventing environmental pollution.

Abstract: A theft deterrent device, intended to be attached to a theft-attractive article so that it can be removed from the article with the aid of a deterrent release device in the possession of an authorized person, and such that any other form of removal will result in damage to the article concerned, includes a first element (10) having a connecting pin (12) which is intended to be inserted through the article to be protected, and a second element (13) which is intended for attachment to the connecting pin. The first element 10 includes a fragile ampule (17) which contains a staining liquid and which becomes fractured upon manipulation of the connecting pin 12. The ampule is positioned in such a way so that by applying a pulling force on the connecting pin in a direction away from the first element (10), the ampule will flex and break.

Abstract: Disclosed is plumbing fixture integrated with the side of a sink and the like having an elongated compartment extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the height of the side wall or piece. The compartment has a bottom with a drain and an open side which allows liquid from a sink to flow into the compartment. A removable strainer is placed in position at the open side of the compartment, and a standpipe is placed in the drain. There is a catch connected to the strainer which is manually movable between a latched position to hold the strainer in position and an unlatched position which allows the strainer to be removed from the open side of the compartment. The standpipe may be removed when the catch is in the latched positioned, but may be locked so that it cannot be removed, yet may still be moved within limits to permit the drain to be opened.

Abstract: A device for measuring and/or controlling ground water levels and a method of manufacturing such device. An embodiment of the device comprises a first tubular member having a top and bottom end and a plurality of perforations for allowing liquid, such as water, to enter and exit the device. A float dimensioned to be slidably received within the first tubular member is provided. The float has a top and bottom opening, both being in flow communication with each other. The device also comprises a check valve located inside the first tubular member for selectively passing liquid through the bottom opening of the float. Further, the device includes a second tubular member located inside the first tubular member. The second tubular member is in flow communication with the top opening of the float and extends upwardly through and out of the top opening of the first tubular member.

Abstract: A device for attracting the attention of an observer having first and second pairs of arms mounted on a body at different elevations and at right angles to each other with air scoops and light reflectors on each of the arms so that the motion of air relative to the device will produce flashes of light alternately in the planes of the first and second pairs of arms.

Abstract: The actuating device has a vertically displaceable trigger (9) which is mounted on a hood-shaped housing part (6a) of the drain valve (3). A lever (2), whose horizontal axis of rotation (5) is mounted on a float housing (6b), is pivoted with the trigger (9) in one or the other direction of rotation. To induce flushing, the trigger (9) is moved in the downward direction with a release knob (1) against the restoring force of a spring (24). The trigger (9) now engages a pivotable arm (9b), and the lever (2) is pivoted such that a valve tube (4) connected to the lever (2) is raised, and the valve opening (11i) is thus opened. If the release knob (1) is moved once again in the downward direction after a partial flushing, the trigger (9) will engage another pivot arm (2a), and the lever (2) will again be pivoted into the starting position, in which the outlet opening (11i) is closed.

Abstract: A water recirculation system which derives energy from an available pressurized tap water supply to filter and return previously discharged water to a water discharge device. A system embodiment for use in a new shower stall or shower/bathtub installation includes a shower head and recirculation means including a tap water powered pump for returning water discharged from the shower head via a return tube mounted behind the wall to the pump for mixing with supplied tap water for delivery to the shower head inlet.

Abstract: Flushing mechanism for providing both complete release of water from a tank, as well as partial removal of the water. The flushing mechanism is provided with an external tubular envelope, an evacuation orifice, an axially displaceable member, a lifting member, and an axially displaceable blocking element. The displaceable member includes an evacuation tube, and a valve for blocking the evacuation orifice the evacuation tube. The lower portion of the evacuation tube comprises a float, and the float includes a seat. The lifting member includes a push button, a transmission rod capable of being pushed by the push button, a pusher element, a lifting element for lifting the displaceable member, and a joint attaching the element to a lower portion of the transmission rod.

Abstract: A sanitary unit comprises a sink turnable between a horizontal working position and a vertical nonworking position, a shower head located above the sink when it is in the working horizontal position, a shower curtain arranged to lose an area under the shower head when the user takes a shower and movable between the open position and a closed position, and a control element formed so that when the sink is movable from its nonworking position to its working position, the shower curtain is moved from its closed position to its open position and then the sink is moved from its working position to its nonworking position, the shower curtain is moved from its open position to its closed position, so that in the nonworking position of the sink a user can take a shower under the shower head with the shower curtain simultaneously closed.

Abstract: A new and improved water saving apparatus having a timing device which may be visually observed by a person for the purpose of timing the length of a shower. The water saving apparatus is adapted to be mounted to the wall of a shower stall and includes finger gripping projection for allowing the timing device to be restarted after a predetermined period of time such as a three minute period of time.

Abstract: A device for use in winterizing inground swimming pools avoids the necessity of draining the pool in order to drain underground water-filled conduits before freeze-up. The device is an elongated cofferdam open at top and rear with a groove for receiving a sealant extending along the rear edge of side and bottom walls. The sealant, such as a denture adhesive, will hold the device against the pool side wall surrounding a water inlet, and so that the device opens above the water surface. Water within the device and the conduit leading to the inlet is pumped therefrom and then a plug is inserted in the inlet to prevent pool water from entering the inlet after the device is removed from the pool side wall.

Abstract: A trap for a sink, or the like, having an easily removable bottom portion by which to permit the trap to be cleaned and lost articles removed. The bottom portion of the trap is detachably connected to a dip portion by a plurality of locking clips. The dip portion includes a plurality of locking receptacles and the bottom portion includes a plurality of locking tabs that are axially aligned with respective locking receptacles. Each locking clip extends between an axially aligned receptacle and tab so as to apply a clamping force to the trap to prevent the separation of the bottom portion from the dip portion. The locking clips may be removed from the trap, whereby the trap may be opened without any special tools or plumbing skills.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing measured lengths of a sleeve material upon an armature, especially adapted for dispensing a plastic cover upon a toilet seat, includes a source of sleeve material fed onto the armature and collected upon a take-up reel. The cover is provided with a uniform series of marks along its length which are sensed and counted to control the operation of a motor drive which directs the sleeve material to and from the armature. Timer circuits are employed to cause motor cut-off if the required length of sleeve is not dispensed within a given length of time and to inhibit motor start for a fixed period after a dispensation. The sleeve-accepting end of the armature may include an angular horn to permit the sleeve to smoothly pass onto the seat.

Abstract: A whistle having a whistle body (10) including two distinct resonating chambers (20), each with an opening (34) to the exterior of the whistle body (10) and a mouthpiece (14) in fluid communication with both of the chambers (20). At least one of the chambers (20) is provided with at least one additional opening (36) to the interior thereof.

Abstract: An acoustic fuel (or other liquid, powder or solid) sensor is disclosed. The sensor measures the volume of fuel in a container of known size. The air within the container is excited by an acoustic transducer. The transducer is driven by a frequency scanning source, and the frequency response of the air cavity within the container is monitored. This frequency response is then processed to determine the volume of air in the container, and the fuel volume is determined to be the total container volume less the air volume. In one embodiment, a tube connects the transducer through an orifice to the air volume, and the frequency response is observed to determine the resonant frequency of the air cavity within the container. The volume of the air cavity is then determined from the resonant frequency. The volume of the fuel is then determined from the tank volume minus the volume of the air cavity.

Abstract: An actuating drive for installation in a body of a motor vehicle, from whose housing an actuator guided therein can be retracted and extended through an exit opening. A mount is provided for attaching the housing to the body with the exit opening of the attached housing being supported at the edge on an edge of a body opening that can likewise be penetrated by the actuator. According to the invention, the housing is guided so as to be displaceable with respect to the mount to and fro along a displacement axis in the direction of movement of the actuator. A clamping device is provided for displacing the housing with respect to the mount along the displacement axis, by means of which the housing, which is supported on one side at least indirectly on the mount, can be clamped on the other side against the edge of the body opening.

Abstract: A device is provided for detecting the ullage level and flow in a vessel by detecting the presence of a solid or liquid material in proximity to a microwave detector. The device may be mounted to the side of the vessel or suspended inside the vessel so as to bring the microwave sensor into proximity with the surface of the contents of the vessel. A microwave bridge circuit may be used to detect a change in either the amplitude or phase of a signal reflected by the material within the vessel compared to a reference signal tuned to either the presence or absence of the anticipated solid or liquid material. In one embodiment, the reflected material signal is compared to the signal from a sample chamber containing the material to be detected. The device can reliably detect the level of multiple interfaces for various materials having distinct electric or magnetic properties.