Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoplastic panel or piece having a resilient welded portion. The panel or piece of the present invention may be used in a variety of applications such as to provide sealing ends on thermoplastic panels or to create resiliently closable passages in thermoplastic panels through which wires and other objects may be passed while maintaining an even surface appearance of the baseboard panel. Other uses include attaching one or more thermoplastic pieces together. The invention also includes a method for making the subject thermoplastic panel or piece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermoplastic panel or piece having a resilient welded portion. The panel or piece of the present invention may be used in a variety of applications such as to provide sealing ends on thermoplastic panels or to create resiliently closable passages in thermoplastic panels through which wires and other objects may be passed while maintaining an even surface appearance of the baseboard panel. Other uses include attaching one or more thermoplastic pieces together. The invention also includes a method for making the subject thermoplastic panel or piece.

Abstract: A microbial decontamination system includes a lower housing portion (10) which receives a removable tray (12). The tray (12) defines a cassette receiving basin, a pair of anti-microbial fluid outlets (28, 64) and a drain (50). A pump (54) and associated plumbing circulates the anti-microbial fluid from the drain through the pair of outlets. A cassette (B) has a lower portion (FIGS. 8-10) which is configured to match the tray's basin and an upper portion (FIGS. 5-7) which is received on the lower cassette portion in an airborne microbe blocking relationship. The cassette bottom portion has an inlet (32) which receives the anti-microbial fluid and a baffle plate (44) adjacent the inlet having a plurality of apertures (96) for distributing the anti-microbial fluid within the cassette. The cassette defines a second inlet (66) which is interconnected with the tray second outlet also for receiving the anti-microbial fluid. The second inlet receives a removable distribution port assembly (68).

Abstract: A door (B) of a countertop decontamination unit (A) is opened to gain access to a well (20) for receiving an anti-microbial agent carrying cup (D). A knife blade assembly (E) includes a central shaft (30) which supports a blade (40). The blade has cutting edges (46) extending in a sloped manner downward from an apex portion (42) of the blade. The blade is divided into two blade sections (44) by the shaft. The cutting edges have beveled peripheral edges which face the front of each blade section. The blades has a curvilinear configuration that defines oppositely facing upper and lower cam surfaces (50, 52). The central shaft has apertures (34a, 34b, 34c) communicating between a shaft interior passage 32 and the outside of the shaft for providing jets of fluid to the inside of the reagent cup for dissolving and flushing the reagent material from the cup. The curved configuration of the blades deflect fluid flow from the apertures into the reagent cup.

Abstract: A microbial decontamination unit (A) has a door (B) which is hingedly mounted (90) to the housing. When the door is opened, the operator has access to a decontamination chamber (22), a mixing chamber (10) for receiving an anti-microbial solution concentrate, and other anti-microbial solution circulation paths (18). A mechanical locking mechanism (D) selectively locks the door member against a gasket (92) to assure that the anti-microbial solution does not leak between the door and the housing. The latch mechanism includes a hook member (54) that defines a circular bearing surface (52) that is rotatably received on a circular cam member (50). The circular cam member (50) is eccentrically mounted on a shaft (40). Rotation of the shaft and cam member moves a latch engaging surface (56) of the hook member into and out of engagement with a latch member (58) along an axis of travel (76).

Abstract: An opener for tab-top, screw-top and crimped top beverage containers is disclosed. The opener comprises: an injection-molded, substantially flat, elongated handle of an essentially constant wall thickness having a central portion and two ends; a cavity molded in one end of the handle; a serrate frustoconical receptacle molded in the central portion of the handle; an opening molded in the other end of the handle; a passage also molded in the other end and communicating with the opening; and a steel insert frictionally retained in the passage, a portion of the insert protruding into the opening. In use, the cavity receives a tab-top tab, the receptacle engages a screw-top cap, or the opening receives a crimped-top cap, the insert engaging the edge of the cap. The ergonomic handle is then used as a lever to open the container. A permanent magnet may be attached to the opener to allow easy storage on a magnetic surface. The opener may be provided with holes for attaching a cord or tether.

Abstract: A fluid power system comprising a fluid pump and an impulse turbine operating in the incompressible domain wherein the pump is characterized by a pressure versus flow curve that is inversely interdependent and by a predetermined pump optimum flow area that is associated with maximum pump output power and the turbine includes an inlet flow path to the turbine rotor the effective area of which is substantially matched to the pump optimum flow area to constrain pump operation to the region of maximum output power.

Abstract: The vacuum generating system for a hand-held vacuum cleaner comprises a fan or impeller having backwardly curved arcuate blades extending between preferably frusto-conical wall portions of front and rear fan shrouds. The front fan shroud is associated with the fan housing to provide a slip seal against vacuum loss around the sides of the fan. The centers of curvature of the arcuate blades are parallel to the central axis of the fan. Although the air flow passages defined by the blades and front and rear shrouds are of complex shapes, the fan may be manufactured economically. The air watts performance curve of the fan is desirably blunted or flattened without significant reduction of altitude or maximum height as compared to prior cleaners.

Abstract: A rotary brush vacuum sweeper having a directly coupled disc brush and turbine wheel. The disc brush floats axially within the sweeper housing to control brush force and is in telescopic relation with rearward motor components to promote favorable air flow characteristics. Hollow space between the disc brush and turbine wheel is continuously purged of dirt and debris by ambient air passing through an associated internal circuit.

Abstract: A battery-operated dust cup type, hand-held vacuum cleaner is provided with wall-mounted store-and-charge means that supports the cleaner in upwardly pointed position. The cleaner is also rechargeable independently of the storage bracket, using the same charging means. The flap valve associated with the vacuum nozzle of the cleaner is backwardly slanted from the intake mouth in closed position. The flap valve seals on a lip extending around the inner periphery of the nose end of the dust cup. The intake mouth is provided with a serration or comb forming a re-entrant lip at the bottom side of the mouth. The dust bag is mounted independently of the dust cup but also without use of special brackets forward of the vacuum intake. Latch means for the dust cup is mounted immediately adjacent the power switch, and is mechanically arranged to be "forgiving" of variations in manufacturing tolerance.

Abstract: A hand held vacuum cleaner of the type having a detachable dust cup is provided with a tiltable nozzle at the intake or forward end of the dust cup.

Abstract: A rotary brush vacuum sweeper having a directly coupled disc brush and turbine wheel. The disc brush floats axially within the sweeper housing to control brush force and is in telescopic relation with rearward motor components to promote favorable air flow characteristics. Hollow space between the disc brush and turbine wheel is continuously purged of dirt and debris by ambient air passing through an associated internal circuit.

Abstract: A carpet or rug cleaner forms a bead of water or other cleaning fluid across the width of a cleaning head. The bead of fluid is applied on the pile of a carpet or rug, and the fluid is violently pulled, by the force of the applied vacuum, from the bead or from the region of the bead through the pile of the carpet or rug to a vacuum uptake with only limited downward penetration of the fluid into the pile. Cleaning action is vigorous, fluid recovery is enhanced, and drying time reduced.