Abstract: The present invention is a self-measuring container that dispenses only a specific amount of fluid each time fluid is poured from the container. This container has a storage chamber where the fluid initially resides and a measuring/dispensing chamber, below the storage chamber, where the specific amount of the fluid that will be dispensed during the next pouring operation resides. An aperture at one end of the container connects the storage and dispensing chambers. This aperture permits the fluid in the storage chamber to flow into the dispensing chamber. The container dispenses the fluid through an exit channel that extends from the dispensing chamber to the top of the container. The storage chamber bottom serves to separate the storage and dispensing chambers and acts as a barrier during a pouring operation to prevent fluid from flowing from the storage chamber to the dispensing chamber until desired. The measuring chamber may also contain a diaphragm to permit the volume within the chamber to be adjusted.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a bowl having recessed acquisition features that permit the bowl to be manipulated by humans without providing protrusions that could be grasped by an animal, through biting or otherwise. In one embodiment, the recessed acquisition feature is formed by two spaced apart slots recessed in the exterior wall of the bowl. Each slot is characterized by a first wall oriented to face the opposing slot and a second wall oriented to face the interior cavity, each wall being substantially vertical or negatively sloped to provide a lifting surface. The thumb and a finger are placed in these slots against gripping surfaces and squeezed towards one another. The bowl may also be raised by grasping the interior wall of the cavity and the substantially vertical or negatively sloped second wall of a slot between the thumb and fingers. In another embodiment, a recessed slot is shaped to have the natural curve of a human finger.

Abstract: An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) is attached to a vehicle part (22). The protection device (20) is deployable, upon inflation, through a deployment opening (24) in the vehicle part (22). A cover (60) closes the deployment opening (24) prior to deployment of the protection device (20). The cover (60) moves away from the vehicle part (22) upon deployment of the protection device (20). Attachment devices (82, 300) releasably attach the cover (60) to the vehicle part (22) and comprise a clip (120, 302) which is attachable to one of the cover and the vehicle part. The one of the cover (60) and the vehicle part (22) has a mounting opening (86, 322) and a recess (88, 324) adjacent the mounting opening. The clip (120, 302) includes a retaining portion (152, 364) biased to be received in the recess (88, 324) to inhibit removal of the clip, an opening (162, 380) for alignment with the mounting opening (86, 322), and a resiliently deflectable portion (164, 382).

Abstract: An air bag module (14) includes a cylindrical inflator (24), a wall structure (56), and a ring (120) extending through an opening (72) in the wall structure (56). The ring interlocks the inflator (24) with the wall structure (56) in a predetermined orientation circumferentially about a central axis (27) of the inflator (24). The ring (120) has first and second parts (160, 162) which are bonded together. The first part (160) of the ring (120) has an annular shape, and is formed of a first material. The second part (162) of the ring (120) extends circumferentially around the first part (160), and is formed of a second, harder material.

Abstract: A measured fluid pour method and device consisting of a container such as a drinking cup, a bottle, a large fluid drum or a container of chemicals wherein a predetermined volume of fluid is poured into another vessel or into the mouth. The device is comprised of a vessel such as a drinking cup or a container such as a bottle, an inner cup of a predetermined size, a tube fixed to the inner cup and extending to the upper end of the cup or container wherein the tube is fixed to the top of the cup or container and wherein a limited volume of fluid may enter the inner cup or container and wherein when the drinking cup or container is tilted to a pouring or drinking position, and only the amount of the fluid contained in the inner cup will flow out of the drinking cup or container.

Abstract: A deployment door assembly for use with an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device, such as an air bag (14), includes a panel (40) for covering the air bag (14) in a vehicle. The panel (40) has layers including a scrim layer (68). The scrim layer (68) has an edge (98) defining a boundary (110) between first and second portions (42,44) of the panel (40) which have first and second shear strengths, respectively. The scrim layer (68) imparts a difference between the first and second shear strengths such that the panel (40) is rupturable along the boundary (110) under the influence of the air bag (14) as a result of the difference in shear strengths.

Abstract: A trim piece (40) for use with an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (14) includes a deployment panel (42), a base (46), and a scrim (76). The deployment panel (42) covers the restraint (14) in the vehicle, and includes a deployment door (44), a hinge (102), and a door frame section (90) which surrounds the hinge (102) and the deployment door (44). The base (46) also surrounds the hinge (102) and the deployment door (44), and projects inward from the door frame section (90) to define a chute (48) through which the restraint (14) moves outward toward the deployment door (44). The scrim (76) is embedded in the deployment panel (42) and the base (46). The scrim (76) extends partially across the door frame section (90) toward the deployment door (44), extends inward from the door frame section (90) into the base (46), turns approximately 180.degree.

Abstract: An energy efficient aquarium system with a separate cover wherein the lamp or lamps are located below the filters and filter ponds thus heating the filter pond bottom and sides to further heat the water contained in the filter ponds thus eliminating the need for a separate heater and further saving the energy required to heat the water as it flows into the aquarium. Floats each with a filter condition indicator bar are located in the filter ponds wherein the filter condition indicator bars extend through the cover and further indicate the condition of the filter as the water rises in the filter ponds due to the filters filling up with debris that restricts the flow of water passing through the filter; as the water rises in the filter ponds, the float rises and further causes the filter condition indicator to rise wherein it may easily be seen. When the filter condition indicator rises to a predetermined height, the owner of the aquarium would be given notice that the filters need to be changed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an inflator module (10) includes an air bag (16), an inflator (14), and a reaction canister (12). The reaction canister (12) includes a first member (64), which has open axial ends, and second and third members (66 and 68) which are each adapted to mate with a respective one of the open ends of the first member (64). The first member (64) has an axially extending wall portion (98) which clamps the inflator (14) to prevent movement of the inflator (14) relative to the reaction canister (12). The inflator (14) is secured relative to the reaction canister (12) only by the clamping of the axially extending wall portion (98). The inflator (14) has an elongate housing (36) with inflation fluid openings (48) at one end portion (46). The axially extending wall portion (98) has projections (102) which engage the inflator (14) to space part of the wall portion (98) away from the inflator (14) and permit flow along the length of the inflator (14).

Abstract: A deployment apparatus for use with an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint, such as an air bag (18), includes a pivotal door panel (80). The apparatus further includes three couplings (124, 126, and 128) which secure the door panel (80) in a closed position by blocking pivotal movement of the door panel (80). The couplings (124, 126, and 128) include rigid members (118, 120, and 122) which rupture a rupturable member (84) upon relative movement of those members under the influence of the inflating air bag (18). The couplings (124, 126, and 128) are opened so as to release the door panel (80) for pivotal movement upon such rupturing by the rigid members (118, 120, and 122). One of the couplings (124) is located near the middle of the door panel (80). The other couplings (126 and 128) are located closer to the opposite ends of the door panel (80). The coupling (124) near the middle of the door panel (80) is opened before the other couplings (126 and 128) are opened.

Abstract: A deployment structure (28) for use with an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) is rupturable by the restraint (12) when the restraint (12) is being inflated. The deployment structure (28) includes a plastic part (52). The plastic part (52) has a seam (158) along which it is rupturable under stress induced by movement of the restraint (12) forcefully against the deployment structure (28). The plastic part (52) includes first and second bodies (150,152) of plastic foam which are joined to each other at the seam (158). The first and second bodies (150,152) of plastic foam preferably have respective values of durometer hardness that differ from each other.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint apparatus (10) includes an inflator (20), a reaction canister (22), and first and second brackets (150,152) for mounting the inflator (20) in the reaction canister (22). The inflator has an axis (82) and first and second axially opposite end portions (96,92). The reaction canister (22) has first and second canister walls (68,70) spaced from each other along the axis (82). The first and second brackets (150,152) are contained in the reaction canister (22) between the canister walls (68,70). The first bracket (150) is fixed to the first end portion (96) of the inflator (20) and to the first canister wall (68). The second bracket (152) is fixed to the second end portion (92) of the inflator (20) and to the second canister wall (70).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12). The apparatus (10) further comprises a structure (30) including (i) opposed first and second walls (31, 32), (ii) opposed third and fourth walls (33, 34) connected to the first and second walls and (iii) a base wall (35) connected to the first, second, third, and fourth walls. The walls (31-35) define a chamber (38). An inflator (20) is located in the chamber (38) and includes a source of inflation fluid for inflating the vehicle occupant restraint (12). The inflator (20) has nozzles (23) at one end adjacent to one of the third and fourth walls (33, 34) for directing inflation fluid from the inflator to the vehicle occupant restraint (12). The structure has a pair of recessed portions (40, 50) for engaging and supporting the inflator (20) in the chamber (38). The recessed portions (40, 50) are spaced apart from the third and fourth walls (33, 34).

Abstract: An air bag module (10) includes a housing (12). An air bag (22) is folded and stored in the housing (12). A retaining ring (30) secures the air bag (22) to the housing (12). The retaining ring (30) includes two relatively movable U-shaped members (152, 154). Assembly tabs (210, 212, 252, 254) on the retaining ring members (152, 154) are gripped to move the retaining ring (30), in a collapsed condition, in one direction (32) through a deployment opening (150) into the housing (12). The retaining ring (30) is then expanded and moved in an opposite direction (34) to interlock with the housing (12).

Abstract: A door assembly (40) for an air bag module (30) includes a door panel (42) supported for pivotal movement on a frame (46, 48) fixed to a vehicle (12). A body of foam material (50) includes a first portion (198) supported on the door panel (42) and a second portion (200, 202) supported on the frame (46, 48), interconnected by a frangible portion (206). A seamless skin (60) includes a first portion (214) covering the first foam portion (198) and a second portion (212) covering the second foam portion (200, 202). The first foam portion (198) moves with the door panel (42) when the deploying air bag (34) pivots the door panel open. The second foam portion (200, 202) remains on the frame (46, 48). The second portion (212) of the skin (60) peels away from the second foam portion (200, 202), without tearing, when the door panel (42) pivots open.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes an inflator (44) which provides a source of inflation fluid. A canister (20) has a chamber (34) for receiving the inflator (44). A support means (56) supports the inflator (44) in a fixed position within the chamber (34) of the canister (20). The support means (56) includes two clamp halves (94 and 96) which have a mating relationship to engage and surround a portion (68) of the inflator (44). A plurality of fasteners (136, 152 and 160) secure the clamp halves (94 and 96) in their matting relationship and secure the clamp halves (94 and 96) to the canister (20).

Abstract: An air bag module (10) includes a housing (12) having a front portion (14) and a rear portion (16). An inflator (18) is connected with the front portion (14) of the housing (12). An air bag (20) is folded and stored in the rear portion (16) of the housing (12). The air bag (20) is secured to a retaining ring (22). Each one of a plurality of fasteners (120-134) interconnects the retaining ring (22), the front portion (14) of the housing (12), and the rear portion (16) of the housing (12).

Abstract: A vacuum operated system for individually dispensing items of oral solid medicine from bulk storage to a user, where the medicine is dispensed under computer control, and the quantity and type of medicine is selected in advance by the user. The invention includes medicine dispensing equipment and a computer that provides a user interface. A plurality of storage containers arranged in a rotatable carousel or a rectilinear array may contain various pharmaceutical articles, or various types, dosages, ages, and lot numbers of medicines. The storage containers may be easily refilled by inserting modular refill cartridges into the storage containers. After a user enters certain data into the computer, the invention aligns a universal vacuum probe with the storage container that contains the desired items. The universal vacuum probe is lowered to the desired storage container and engaged with a container probe that is exclusive to that storage container.