Abstract: Chiropractic training apparatus includes an anatomic mannequin incorporating a network of electronic sensors providing feedback to a user related to applied pressure. The mannequin may include a simulated human head and pelvic region with simulated articulating spinal vertebrae embedded in pliable silicone skin and gel materials. Electronic circuitry determines when pressure is applied to any of the plurality of pressure sensors during the palpation of the model, and output an electronic signal representative of the applied pressure. A mechanism may be provided to facilitate adjustment of relative joint stiffness. A computer display in communication with the model may show information indicative of vertebral level and/or color gradients associated with the pressure applied by a user. The physical model may only include portions of a simulated human spine (i.e., lumbar only). However, the model is preferably life-sized, and may be configured for prone positioning on a table or other work surface.

Abstract: Chiropractic training apparatus includes an anatomic mannequin incorporating a network of electronic sensors providing feedback to a user related to applied pressure. The mannequin may include a simulated human head and pelvic region with simulated articulating spinal vertebrae embedded in pliable silicone skin and gel materials. Electronic circuitry determines when pressure is applied to any of the plurality of pressure sensors during the palpation of the model, and output an electronic signal representative of the applied pressure. A mechanism may be provided to facilitate adjustment of relative joint stiffness. A computer display in communication with the model may show information indicative of vertebral level and/or color gradients associated with the pressure applied by a user. The physical model may only include portions of a simulated human spine (i.e., lumbar only). However, the model is preferably life-sized, and may be configured for prone positioning on a table or other work surface.

Abstract: A fire starter for use with a grill (G) for cooking foods includes a combustible bag (A) placed on the grill. The bag's contents include charcoal (B) which, when lit, has a relatively long burn time. Interspersed in the bag with the charcoal are wood shavings (S) which have a shorter burn time than the charcoal. In one embodiment, the contents of the bag are poured into the grill. In another embodiment, one end (E1) of the bag is opened and placed on a grate (P). The other, upper end (E2) of the bag is opened and the lower end of the bag ignited. Setting the bag vertically produces a chimney effect that facilitates burning of the bag and its contents. When the bag is ignited, the shavings are also ignited and burn for a period sufficiently long to ignite the charcoal before being consumed.

Abstract: A fire starter for use with a grill (G) for cooking foods includes a combustible bag (A) placed on the grill. The bag's contents include charcoal (B) which, when lit, has a relatively long burn time. Interspersed in the bag with the charcoal are wood shavings (S) which have a relatively shorter burn time than the charcoal. In one embodiment, the contents of the bag are poured into the grill. In another embodiment, one end (E1) of the bag is opened and placed on a grate (P). The other, upper end (E2) of the bag is opened and the lower end of the bag ignited. Setting the bag vertically on the grate produces a chimney effect to facilitate burning of the bag and its contents. When the bag is ignited, the shavings are also ignited and burn for a period sufficiently long to ignite the charcoal before being consumed.

Abstract: A bedding material for use in small animal cages or the like comprises a hydrophilic cellulose fiber paper coated with a hydrophobic polypropylene coating. The bedding material is made from a combination of one or more of unused coffee filter paper and tea filter paper, air laid materials, and rayon which is shredded to produce a bedding material of a preferred size and texture. The material has a wet strength that keeps the fiber paper from fusing together when exposed to fluids but rather causes the fluids to wick out over a relatively large area for the bedding material to quickly dry. This prevents the buildup of ammonia and other unwanted odors.

Abstract: A bedding material for use in small animal cages or the like comprises a hydrophilic cellulose fiber paper coated with a hydrophobic polypropylene coating. The bedding material is made from a combination of one or more of unused coffee filter paper and tea filter paper, air laid materials, and rayon which is shredded to produce a bedding material of a preferred size and texture. The material has a wet strength that keeps the fiber paper from fusing together when exposed to fluids but rather causes the fluids to wick out over a relatively large area for the bedding material to quickly dry. This prevents the buildup of ammonia and other unwanted odors.

Abstract: A process for reducing or eliminating tannins in wood flour so to reduce the level of tannins in wood/plastic composites made with the wood flour, and improve the finish provided by these products when in use. The process involves taking a precursor comprised of wood flour, dry wood waste or green wood waste, all of which contain high levels of tannin, rinsing the precursor with a solvent such as acetone, water or a base solution including Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) or other salts, and heating the resultant mixture to a predetermined elevated temperature. The tannins in the mixture are rinsed out of the mixture with the solution out, with the remaining material which containing only a very slight amount of tannins. The remaining material is next dried, and then separated from the drying air stream through a cyclone or filter receiver. The material is then stored in bulk for delivery to a manufacturer of wood/plastic composites, an animal fur processor, or processed further into a finer wood flour.

Abstract: A cylinder lock (10) includes a lock cylinder (12) having a central bore (14). A series of bores (16) extend orthogonally of the lock cylinder and open into the central bore. A barrel (18) fits into the central bore and has bores (20) therein corresponding to those in the lock cylinder and aligned therewith. A keyway (22) is for insertion of a key (24) into the barrel. A tumbler pin (26) fits into each bore and extends through the bore in the cylinder lock into the corresponding bore in the barrel. Insertion of an appropriate key into the keyway move the tumbler pins out of the bores in the barrel and into the bores in the cylinder lock, so turning of the key rotates the barrel with respect to the lock cylinder and opens the lock. An improvement of the invention includes a blocking pin (30) inserted into each of the bores to relocate the gap (G) created in the bore when a bump key (28) is struck after being inserted into the keyway.

Abstract: A connector (10) used in packaging together two aerosol containers (A1, A2) for sale as a unit. A first connector segment (12) attaches to one aerosol container (A1), and a second connector segment (14) attaches to the other aerosol containers (A2). The connector segments grasp adjacent portions of the respective aerosol containers which, in one embodiment are stacked vertically, one above the other, and in other embodiments horizontally in a side-by-side configuration. In two of the embodiments, the connector is formed as a one piece, integral connector. In a third embodiment, the connector segments are separate pieces (12C and 14C) with one piece (12C) attaching to the top, cap portion of the containers, and the other piece (14C) attaching to the base of the respective containers. In each embodiment the containers are handled as a single unit regardless of whether one container or the other, or the connector, is used to move the containers.

Abstract: A connector (10) used in packaging together two aerosol containers (A1, A2) for sale as a unit. A first connector segment (12) attaches to one aerosol container (A1), and a second connector segment (14) attaches to the other aerosol containers (A2). The connector segments grasp adjacent portions of the respective aerosol containers which, in one embodiment are stacked vertically, one above the other, and in other embodiments horizontally in a side-by-side configuration. In two of the embodiments, the connector is formed as a one piece, integral connector. In a third embodiment, the connector segments are separate pieces (12C and 14C) with one piece (12C) attaching to the top, cap portion of the containers, and the other piece (14C) attaching to the base of the respective containers. In each embodiment the containers are handled as a single unit regardless of whether one container or the other, or the connector, is used to move the containers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for custom blending spray paints. A customer provides a sample (S) of a color to be matched. The sample is tested on a spectrophotometer to determine the colors needed to match the sample; or if the paint formula is known, it is entered into the apparatus. A computer control (16) causes metered quantities of each colorant to be pumped from a reservoir (50) to a manifold (68). From the manifold, paint is injected through a filling head (46) into a discharge valve (V) and dip tube (P) of a precharged aerosol container (C) to be filled. Solvent from a tank (74) is used between a final injection of colorant to flush out the manifold and a dip tube (P) of the container. After the colors have been injected into the container, the container is shaken so that the colors intermix with each other to produce a paint of the desired custom color which is readily sprayed from the container.

Abstract: An aerosol container (10) with an ergonomic beaded cylindrical body (18) is disclosed. The cylindrical body (18) has larger beads (21-23) toward the top of the container, and smaller beads (24, 25) positioned under the larger beads, creating an easy to hold and use container.