Abstract: An animal feed containing a carboxylic acid either as the sole active ingredient or in combination with 1.alpha.-hydroxylated vitamin D compounds and/or phytase. The carboxylic acid or the combination of carboxylic acid with vitamin D compounds and/or phytase causes improved utilization of phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron and manganese in animal feed so as to minimize, or perhaps eliminate, the need for supplemental quantities of these minerals in an animal diet. In addition, low phosphorus containing animal feeds reduce the polluting effects on the environment since less phosphorus is excreted in the animal's feces which are then spread on agricultural land.

Abstract: An animal feed, preferably a poultry feed, containing an 1.alpha.-hydroxylated vitamin D compound. The vitamin D compound causes improved utilization of phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron and manganese available from inorganic sources in animal feed so as to minimize, or perhaps eliminate, the need for supplemental quantities of these minerals in an animal diet.

Abstract: A border cutter for use with a cutter blade carrier for cutting a strip of carpet, the carrier having a blade plate for a cutting blade, the border cutter including a surface plate for movement along a piece of carpet, and having a guide edge and a cutting blade opening normal to the guide edge, and having spaced guides with aligned slots for receiving the carrier plate for positioning a blade at the blade opening. The spaced guides extend parallel to the blade opening, with each guide having a plurality of slots extending therealong in alignment with the slots of the other guide, providing a plurality of locations on the surface plate for the blade carrier. One of the spaced guides includes a channel for receiving a guide toe plate of a blade carrier support of the blade carrier.

Abstract: A two-piece hygienic cap to close the neck opening of an inverted liquid container has a lid portion to overlie and sealingly close the container opening and an annular skirt portion extending axially away from the lid to surround a portion of the container neck. The lid portion is provided with an axially inwardly extending recess including an outer sleeve and an inner plug portion connected thereto. The cap is adapted to cooperate with a feed tube or probe dimensioned for insertion into the recess for separating the plug portion from the sleeve to permit the discharge of liquid from the container. When the tube or probe is withdrawn from the recess, the plug portion is drawn into the sleeve to close the recess and reseal the container. The tearable skirt of the cap includes a line of weakness and a pull tab permitting easy removal of the cap from the container.

Abstract: A hygienic liquid dispensing system includes a coaxial cap to close the opening of an inverted liquid container enclosing drinking water or other potable liquid. The cap has a lid portion to overlie and sealingly close the opening and an annular skirt portion extending axially away from the lid to surround a portion of the container neck. The lid portion is provided with an axially inwardly extending recess including an outer sleeve and an inner plug portion connected thereto. An upstanding probe or feed tube is dimensioned for forcible insertion into the recess for separating the plug portion from the sleeve to permit the discharge of liquid from the container. A removable mounting apparatus is also provided to fit on the upper portion of a water cooler cabinet and defines an annular ring for supporting the shoulder of an inverted bottle or container thereon.

Abstract: A two-piece hygienic cap to close the neck opening of an inverted liquid container has a lid portion to overlie and sealingly close the container opening and an annular skirt portion extending axially away from the lid to surround a portion of the container neck. The lid portion is provided with an axially inwardly extending recess including an outer sleeve and an inner plug portion connected thereto. A feed tube or probe is dimensioned for forcible insertion into the recess for separating the plug portion from the sleeve to permit the discharge of liquid from the container. When the tube or probe is withdrawn from the recess, the plug portion is drawn into the sleeve to close the recess and reseal the container. A removable protective seal overlies the recess to prevent contamination from entering the sleeve and a tearable skirt on the cap includes a line of weakness and a pull tab permitting easy removal of the cap from the container.

Abstract: A hygienic liquid dispensing system includes a removable mounting apparatus adapted to fit on the upper portion of a water cooler cabinet and to define an annular ring for supporting the shoulder of an inverted bottle or container thereon. The mounting apparatus also defines a tapered entry portion having a closed inner wall extending downwardly and inwardly from the annular ring for receiving the neck of the inverted container therein. The container neck opening is closed by a cap having a lid portion to overlie and sealingly close the opening and an annular skirt portion extending axially away from the lid to surround a portion of the container neck. The lid portion is provided with an axially inwardly extending recess including an outer sleeve and an inner plug portion connected thereto.

Abstract: A one-piece hygienic cap to close the neck opening of an inverted liquid container has a lid portion to overlie and sealingly close the container opening and an annular skirt portion extending axially away from the lid to surround a portion of the container neck. The lid portion is provided with an axially inwardly extending recess including an outer sleeve and an inner plug portion integrally formed with a frangible connection therebetween. The cap cooperates with a probe dimensioned for insertion into the recess for breaking the frangible connection and separating the plug portion from the sleeve to permit the discharge of liquid from the container. When the probe is withdrawn from the recess, the plug portion is drawn into the sleeve to close the recess and reseal the container.

Abstract: A hygienic cap to close the opening of an inverted liquid container is provided for a liquid dispensing system for drinking water or other potable fluid. The cap has a lid portion to overlie and sealingly close the container opening and an annular skirt portion extending axially away from the lid to surround a portion of the container neck. The lid portion is provided with an axially inwardly extending recess including an outer sleeve and an inner plug portion integrally formed with a frangible connection therebetween. A feed tube is dimensioned for forcible insertion into the recess for breaking the frangible connection and separating the plug portion from the sleeve to permit the discharge of liquid from the container through the tube. When the tube is withdrawn from the recess, the plug portion is drawn into the sleeve to close the recess and reseal the container.

Abstract: A hygienic liquid dispensing system includes a cap to close the opening of an inverted liquid container enclosing drinking water or other potable liquid. The cap has a lid portion to overlie and sealingly close the opening and an annular skirt portion extending axially away from the lid to surround a portion of the container neck. The lid portion is provided with an axially inwardly extending recess including an outer sleeve and an inner plug portion integrally formed with a frangible connection therebetween. A feed tube is dimensioned for forcible insertion into the recess for breaking the frangible connection and separating the plug portion from the sleeve to permit the discharge of liquid from the container. A mounting apparatus is also provided to fit on the upper portion of a water cooler cabinet and defines an annular ring for supporting the shoulder of an inverted bottle or container thereon.

Abstract: A hygienic liquid dispensing system includes a cap to close the opening of an inverted liquid container enclosing drinking water or other potable liquid. The cap has a lid portion to overlie and sealingly close the opening and an annular skirt portion extending axially away from the lid to surround a portion of the container neck. The lid portion is provided with an axially inwardly extending recess including an outer sleeve and an inner plug portion integrally formed with a frangible connection therebetween. A feed tube is dimensioned for forcible insertion into the recess for breaking the frangible connection and separating the plug portion from the sleeve to permit the discharge of liquid from the container. A mounting apparatus is also provided to fit on the upper portion of a water cooler cabinet and defines an annular ring for supporting the shoulder of an inverted bottle or container thereon.

Abstract: A hygienic liquid dispensing system is disclosed comprised of the combination of a container for the liquid to be dispensed, said container having a neck portion terminating in an aperture for discharging the liquid therethrough; a hygienic cap extending over said aperture and at least a portion of the neck to seal the liquid in the container; and a liquid dispenser, including a sleeve adapted to receive the capped container neck and a sharpened feed tube located within said sleeve for piercing said cap. The container with its capped neck is inverted and lowered into said sleeve and is guided thereby to position the cap over the feed tube. The hygienic cap has a recessed central portion and a relatively thin bottom portion (in said recess) which is pierced by the feed tube as the container is lowered into the sleeve. This piercing allows liquid to flow from the container to the dispenser.