Abstract: A new and novel seedling Gardenia jasminoides plant, named `Star Bright` is disclosed and is particularly characterized by its large, single flowers of pure white petal color. Petals have elongated claws, which are covered at their articulation with the corolla tube, by normally strongly reflexed golden-yellow, elongated anthers which assume an adpressed position over the basal petal connections. Petals and anthers are inferior to the lobed stigma which is of a slightly lighter color than that of the anthers. The classic, simple, single white flowers stand out conspicuously over the lush, deep green leaves. The plant is a multi-stemmed rounded shrub of medium canopy density which attains a height and span of two or more meters when growing under conditions to which it is adapted.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of petunia plant named Cas 56, characterized by the combined features of medium to large white flowers, light throat with dark violet veins, vigorous, bushy growth habit, semi-erect to overhanging plant habit, and light to medium green foliage.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of petunia plant named Cas 57, characterized by the combined feature of pink-violet flowers with white bordered edges and white throat with dark violet veins, vigorous growth habit, long, overhanging plant habit, and light green foliage.

Abstract: A carnation plant named Adela particularly characterized by its commercial double flower type; flat, high centered flower form; white flower color; diameter of flower 65 to 70 mm when fully opened, when grown as a spray carnation; petal margins are strongly serrated, with shallow to intermediate serration; strong, flexible stems; high production of flowers, with 5 to 6 flowering laterals developing per stem; flowering response of 26 to 30 weeks after planting rooted cuttings; very low incidence of splitting of calyx; very resistant to Fusarium oxysporum; and recommended as a miniature (spray) carnation.

Abstract: A carnation plant named Maria Camila particularly characterized by its commercial double flower type; flat flower form; soft pink flower color; diameter of flower 66 to 76 mm when fully opened, when grown as a disbudded carnation; petal margins are very slightly indented; heavy, strong stems; fast flowering response of 20 to 24 weeks after planting rooted cuttings; very low incidence of splitting of calyx; tolerant to resistant to Fusarium oxysporum; high percentage of long to very long flowering stems; and recommended as a disbud (standard) carnation.

Abstract: A Chrysanthemum plant named Peachy Lynn particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; decorative capitulum type; peach-orange ray floret color with darker center of the flower; diameter across face of capitulum of 51 to 60 mm when fully opened; branching pattern is spreading and prolific, with 7 to 9 breaks after pinch when grown outside under natural daylength in fall flowerings, and 6 to 7 breaks after pinch when grown in 10 cm pots for spring flowerings; natural season flower date of August 27 to September 4 when planting rooted cuttings on June 21 to 23 in Salinas, Calif., and of September 27 to 30 when planting rooted cuttings June 11 to 14 in Hightstown, N.J.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named Minuet, charcterized by its double-flower form with ten petals, salmon-pink flower color, relative large diameter flowers carried on green pedicels, solid deep green leaves, later flowering habit due to double flower form, highly self-branching and floriferous habits, tolerance to both high and cool temperatures, and its adaptability to be grown in 10 cm up to 15-25 cm containers.

Abstract: A new geranium cultivar particularly distinguished by its compact and bushy growth and its cluster stem carrying a large white cluster of florets above strong dark green foliage.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Ficus elastica plant Sylvie, particularly characterized by its green to dark green marking along the midribs of the leaves surrounded by a white-yellow to white color to the leaf margins. In new leaves the surrounding color is white-yellow, with such color turning to white as the leaf matures. The surrounding color comprises about 50% of the leaf surface. In between the white surrounding and the dark green irregular marking along the midrib is a color combination of lighter green to grey.

Abstract: A vegetatively reproduced perennial buffalograss cultivar was developed through mass selection from diploid (2n=20) buffalograss germplasms which is named `Hilite` 15. It is distinguished by its fine texture, high turf density, rapid stolon spreading rate, competitive growth, short height growth, improved winter green color and short winter dormancy, summer turf quality, drought tolerance, low maintenance requirements, and improved turf performance.

Abstract: A vegetatively reproduced perennial buffalograss cultivar was developed through mass selection from diploid (2n=20) buffalograss germplasms which is named `Hilite` 25. It is distinguished by its fine texture, high turf density, rapid stolon spreading rate, competitive growth, short height growth, improved winter green color and short winter dormancy, spring turf quality, drought tolerance, low maintenance requirements, and improved turf performance.

Abstract: A Chrysanthemum plant named Soft Lynn particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; decorative capitulum type; soft red-purple ray floret color with darker red-purple center of the flower; diameter across face of capitulum of 51 to 60 mm when fully opened; branching pattern is spreading and prolific, with 7 to 9 breaks after pinch when grown outside under natural daylength in fall flowerings, and 6 to 7 breaks after pinch when grown in 10 cm pots for spring flowerings; natural season flower date of August 23 to 30 when planting rooted cuttings on June 21 to June 23 in Salinas, Calif., and of September 15 to 17 when planting rooted cuttings June 11 to June 14 in Hightstown, N.J.

Abstract: Knitted joins are made in double jersey knitted articles using a method which minimizes the effect of hole formation at the join. Single jersey edges are knitted along the edges to be jointed, being knitted on from one to six needles in each of the courses of knitting which form part of the edge of the join. The edgings need not extend along the whole length of the join. In a further embodiment superimposed strips of single jersey knitting are knitted between the edgings so as to split hole formation into two smaller series which are less noticeable. With this embodiment, one or both edgings can be omitted. The method is useful for upholstery fabric joins, particular for vehicle seat covers, where exposure of the padding is to be avoided.

Abstract: A developing device for electrophotography includes a developer supporter faced to an image bearing member with a constant space maintained therebetween at a developing station, a developer supply and an elastic developer limiting member maintained in predetermined pressure contact with the developer supporter between the developer supply and the developing station to limit the thickness of developer supported on the supporter to a value not causing contact of the developer with the non-imaged area on the image bearing member.

Abstract: A calf feeder bottle for dispensing dry feed has an angled neck portion which is in alignment with a handle on the front of the bottle and a bracket on the rear of the bottle so that a nipple secured to the mouth of the bottle when the bottle is in an inverted dispensing position will be angled properly for dispensing feed to a calf. The nipple has a tubular spout with a flap valve therein with the mating surfaces of the flap valve aligned with the handle to facilitate opening of the flap valve when the tubular portion of the nipple is squeezed by a calf.

Abstract: The subject application discloses a chiral nonracemic composition of the general formula:R.sub.1 --Ar--O--CH.sub.2 --C*HX--C*HY--CH.sub.2 --O--R.sub.2wherein R.sub.1 is an achiral tail of two to sixteen carbons; Ar is an achiral FLC core of at least two rings; * denotes a chiral carbon; X and Y are halogens; and R.sub.2 is one to ten carbon atoms. The --O--CH.sub.2 --C*HX--C*HY--CH.sub.2 --O-- segment comprises the chiral proximal segment of the chiral tail; the proximal segment is selected from the enantiomers 2R,3R-dihalo and 2S,3S-dihalo. R.sub.2 is the distal segment of the chiral tail.

Abstract: A biaxially oriented polyester film simultaneously satisfying the following formulas (I) to (III):.vertline.S.sub.180 -S.sub.120 .vertline..ltoreq.54 (I)T.sub.S.sup.MD .gtoreq.100 (II)Q.sub.120 .ltoreq.0.7 (III)wherein S.sub.180 is shrinking stress (g/mm.sup.2) of the film in the machine direction at 180.degree. C., S.sub.120 is shrinking stress (g/mm.sup.2) of the film in the machine direction at 120.degree. C., T.sub.S.sup.MD is shrinkage initiation temperature (.degree.C.) of the film in the machine direction, and Q.sub.120 is shrinkage (%) of the film in the machine direction after 5 hours' treatment at 120.degree. C., is described. The film has a good dimensional stability due to its low shrinkage, particularly in the machine direction, and substantially free from defect such as wave and wrinkle.It is prepared by biaxially stretching, heat-setting and relaxing an extruded polyester film under particular conditions so as to obtain a biaxially oriented polyester film having these characteristics.

Abstract: An exercise device, such as a exercise bicycle, is connected to a speed sensor indicating activity level, e.g. speed of the bicycle. The activity level signal, along with a heart rate signal, are provided to a video game, such as a Pac-man type video game. The game monitors the heart rate of the exerciser. If the heart rate falls outside preset minimum or maximum limits, a certain action occurs in the game, such as an increase in speed or skill level of the opposition. In the Pac-man type game for example, should the heart rate fall below the desired workout rate, the villain (the goblin) would move at a speed faster than the players' speed, putting the player at a disadvantage. The player would respond by increasing his level of physical activity, thereby increasing the heart rate until it exceeds the minimum aerobic level required, at which time the villain's speed would return to its normal level.

Abstract: An optically pumped single mode laser, e.g. Nd:YAG crystal (20) with planoconcave mirrors is increased in efficiency by an order of magnitude to about 8% by optics (25, 27) for focusing the high power multimode output of laser diode arrays (21, 22) into the mode volume (20') of the laser medium (20). A plurality of these optically pumped single mode lasers (1-4) may be cascaded in a ring with dichroci mirrors (M.sub.1 -M.sub.4) at the corners for coupling in the laser diode arrays, each having its own means for spatially tailoring its beam to concentrate pump distribution inside the lasing mode volume of the medium. An InGaAlAs pump diode (30) with its wavelength of the same as a lasing medium makes the ring unidirectional.The questions raised in reexamination request No. 90/002,473, filed Oct. 10, 1991, have been considered and the results thereof are reflected in this reissue patent which constitutes the reexamination certificate required by 35 U.S.C. 307 as provided in 37 CFR 1,570(e).

Abstract: This invention, therefore, relates to the field of polyurethane coatings for use in automobile basecoat/clearcoat systems. In particular, this invention relates to the discovery that incorporating a long-chain carboxylic acid of at least 50% by weight of the carboxylic acid component used to make polyester resins which are further incorporated into polyurethane resins provides basecoat composition exhibiting low temperature flash characteristics. These low temperature flash characteristics are exhibited even where the basecoat is deposited at 50-90% relative humidity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hand glove or mitt that has a semi-rigid polymeric molded construction with an open back, and includes a first portion having a recess for loosely receiving the thumb of the hand, another portion having a recess for the opposing fingers, and a central, palm-covering portion that adjoins the first and second portions, the molded glove being self-supporting in an initial configuration with the thumb-receiving portion spaced from the fingers-receiving portion so as to provide an article-receiving gap between these opposing portions, the glove being resiliently manipulatable from its initial configuration so as to widen or close the gap.

Abstract: A protective glove includes a glove body having at least one pocket with one or more hollow, shock-absorbing cells disposed therein. Each cell comprises a thin, flexible peripheral wall and an open interior space, which interior space contains a fluid under pressure sufficient so that the cell deforms upon impact of an object against the cell and cushions the hand of the wearer from the impact. The invention thereby provides a protective glove which is lightweight, simple in design, attractive in appearance and effective to protect the wearer's hand from blows or impacts.

Abstract: A mitten set is arranged to include a first, second, and third glove member to permit simultaneous warming and securement between an adult and an associated child, wherein the first glove member is a first sizing, and the second glove member a second sizing greater than the first sizing. The first glove member and the second glove member each include respective first and second glove member fingers, and the third glove member includes a third glove member finger, as well as a second entrance opening arranged to receive a hand of a child therethrough to permit securement of the individual child within the third glove member to thereby share the third glove member by an associated adult and child.

Abstract: Glove members are arranged in a mirror image relationship relative to one another, including facing first and second palm walls having removably mounted thereon, first and second semi-spherical cup members. The cup members are arranged for complementary inter-fitting relative to one another to define a spherical shape to form snowballs therebetween when snow is scooped into the semi-spherical cup members.

Abstract: An improved surgical glove is provided having reinforcing pads formed over the distal finger and thumb pulps and over the metacarpal-phalangeal joints. The fingertips and thumb tips are the most likely region of a surgical glove to be accidentally penetrated by a needle during a surgical procedure. Furthermore, the fingertips, thumb tips, and metacarpal-phalangeal region of the surgical glove are the most likely portions of the glove to become abraded and possibly torn during a surgical procedure. Thus, the reinforcing pads are optimally located for minimizing the possibility of a tear or a needle penetration. The remaining portions of the surgical glove are of conventional thickness and flexibility, thereby assuring adequate mobility of the fingers and hand, such that precise surgical procedures may be performed while using the improved glove.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved women's stocking and stocking support that utilizes a stocking support belt encircling the hip area of the wearer having only one stocking fastener on each side and a pair of normally cut (elongated to the wearer's crotch) individual stockings, each of which is made of a stretchable nylon material, each stocking having a single slit or fastener on the outside hip area so that the stockings may be held in place comfortably for long, extended wear on a single side fastener while remaining, because of the stretchability of the material, firmly and attractively in place between the crotch area of the wearer, the leg portions, and the hip areas. Other articles of clothing such as tank tops or bodysuits can also be used as support members for the stretchable hose.

Abstract: A vehicle helmet, including a cap body comprised of a shell and a shock absorbing liner fitted to an inner surface of the shell, and a longitudinally extending air duct which is provided in a wall of of the cap body, such that the inside of the cap body can be ventilated through the air duct, wherein at least a portion of the shock absorbing liner is divided into an outer layer on the side of the shell, and an inner layer superposed on an inner surface of the outer layer, the inner and outer layers having recessed grooves provided in opposed surfaces thereof to define an air duct, the inner layer having a vent hole. Thus, air-stream flowing into the air duct can flow at a high rate without any leakage, thereby reliably performing a ventilation of the inside of the cap body.

Abstract: This invention relates to an underwater mask which has on the front two plates made of a transparent material for front vision, and two further transparent plates placed beneath the former and forming an angle greater than 90.degree. and less than 180.degree. therewith. The second pair of clear plates afford peripheral vision down the diver's pectoral region.

Abstract: For a pair of goggles with a frame and temples made of relatively hard plastic material or of metal comprising at least one pad element made of relatively soft plastic material at the ends of the temples and/or at the nose piece it is provided for the purpose of increasing the wearing comfort of the goggles and for attaining a stable fit, as is necessary in particular with protective goggles for workers and sports goggles, that the pad element is formed as a relatively thin-walled convexity which is moulded of plastic material.

Abstract: A toilet seat assembly for drawing in noxious toilet air, filtering and freshening the air, and returning the treated air to the toilet area. The toilet seat includes internally formed intake and exhaust ports which are each provided with respective intake and exhaust apertures. The intake apertures are arranged around the inner periphery of the seat to point towards the center of the toilet and the exhaust apertures are arranged around the outer periphery of the seat. An air treatment assembly is connected to the ports and is operable to draw air in through the intake apertures, pass the air through both a charcoal filter and a deodorant filter, and exhaust the air through the exhaust apertures in the toilet seat. An alternate embodiment of the present invention includes a heater assembly to warm the air prior to its exhaust.

Abstract: A vacuum toilet system for a vehicle (such as a boat) has numerous advantages. A single pump with valves on opposite sides of it may be used as both the vacuum source and for discharging sewage from a holding tank. Two sets of multiple heads may be selectively connected to two pumps for emergency purposes. The vacuum toilet includes a sealing element with an integral movable valve engaging element including polytetrylflouroethylene and synthetic rubber, and at the same durometer (55-65). The initial passageway provided by movement of the valve with respect to the seal is disposed directly above the center line of an orifice. An an anti-siphon valve assembly has a simple construction of a housing with parallel legs and anti-siphon air passage in alignment with one of the legs. A spray nozzle extends from the other legs of the anti-siphon valve assembly. The toilet funnel/orifice is universally connected to conduits.

Abstract: A combination toilet and swivel urinal is provided and consists of a toilet having a bowl and a tank on the back. A urinal is hinged on a swivel to the side of the tank. The urinal is fluidly connected between the tank and the bowl of the toilet. The urinal can swing out from the side of the tank to a useable position and can swing back out of the way to a stored position.

Abstract: A composting toilet comprising a housing having a seat disposed about an opening communicating with an aeration drum for receiving human waste matter. The drum is rotatably-mounted for rotation about a longitudinal axis oriented horizontally inside the housing. A removable receptacle adapted to receive decomposed solid waste matter from the aeration drum for periodic removal from the toilet is also provided. The aeration drum has a narrow front end for receiving and discharging waste, and a wide rear end extending radially outwardly from the front end. The rear end has liquid outlets in fluid communication with the housing and a gas outlet is disposed opposite the liquid outlets to cause an airflow through the composting solid waste and for venting any gases which enter the aeration drum or are formed through decomposition inside the drum.

Abstract: A portable type spa is insulated by a sequence of steps involving initially the preparation of an insulation blanket having a metal foil heat reflective surface on one side with orthogonal dimensions of the blanket sized larger than the orthogonal dimensions of the spa shell. The spa shell is placed on top of the insulation blanket in a preferred method, with the metal foil heat reflective surface facing the exterior of the spa shell. The spa shell foot well is leveled by shims placed between the bottom of the spa shell and the underlying support surface such as a floor. The periphery of the insulation blanket is preferably sandwiched between the underside of a spa rim and a top edge of wood skirt panels surrounding the exterior of the spa shell. The insulation blanket forms a loose bag about the exterior of the spa shell and about plumbing connections on the exterior of the spa shell including warm water circulating tubing projecting outwardly of the spa shell exterior surface.

Abstract: The method of forming an inflatable tub that includes shaping inner and outer plastic sheets to form tub upright side walls and end walls, and corners between the walls; bonding the sheets at each wall to form panels bonded together at certain locations, and introducing inflation fluid between the sheet to space them apart from one another at other locations about the panels by inflation pressure, whereby each wall defines upright inner and outer sides with substantially uniform maximum spacing between the inner and outer sides along the inflated walls between the corners; and providing the tub with a bottom wall defined by bottom plastic sheet structure connected to lowermost extents of the side and end walls and the corners.

Abstract: Apparatus for deflecting a shower curtain outwardly of a shower stall through the access opening of the stall comprises relatively slideable rods accommodated in a tube which, when bowed, resists relative sliding movement of the rods. The opposite ends of the bowed deflector bear against spaced walls of the shower stall and cause the shower curtain also to be bowed outwardly of the access opening so as to increase the usable space within the stall.

Abstract: A shower curtain support arm which mounts on a shower rod without inhibiting the sliding movement of the curtain, and when locked in position controls the position of the shower curtain to hold the curtain away from a bather.

Abstract: A waste water recovery system for recycling shower/bath water for use in a tank-type toilet is provided. The system includes a storage tank with a suction pump to draw water into the storage tank. The system also includes a valve which is used to timely shut off the pump when the tank is full. Recovered water from the storage tank is delivered to the toilet tank when needed. A collector which surrounds the floor drain is removably attachable either by adhesive or suction means to the floor of a bath or shower and has an inlet and an outlet. Waste water is drawn by a suction pump from the outlet of a collector to the storage tank.

Abstract: An improved frame for a futon sofa/chair having a first base end and a second base end. The base ends have guide slots which engage guide posts, the guide posts are mounted to a back, which is pivotably attached to a seat. The improvement resides in providing backstops attached to the first base end and the second base end which further support the back of the sofa/chair when the back is upright and when the back is horizontal. In another embodiment of the invention, the frame additionally has a rear deck panel which is pivotably attached to the back and a pair of rear deck supports which are pivotably mounted to the rear deck panel and to the base ends. In a further preferred embodiment, the rear deck supports have deck segment supports which pivotably attach to the rear deck panels and base segment supports, which pivotably attach to the base. The rear deck supports and the rear base segment supports are in turn pivotably connected.

Abstract: A beach pillow including a foam--e.g. a polyester--within a case enclosure covered by a terrycloth material so as to be machine-washable and dryable. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a bottom-side of the case is provided with a releasable hook-and-loop type adhesive backing to adhere with a comparable adhesive material at a facing side of a towel, to allow for the holding of the pillow to the towel in a substantially vertical position when the towel is draped over a chair. A fastener at a corner extremity of the case permits the pillow to be easily carried about, and its temporary securement to a fixed object to be held thereby under varying wind conditions.

Abstract: To anchor an insert in proper wave motion-inhibiting position within a waterbed mattress, a rectangular, top vinyl sheet is patterned with corner sections which, upon formation of the mattress, are folded to provide a pair of inwardly extending anchoring flaps. Endless vinyl tethers are looped through apertures in the flaps to provide a secure four-corner anchorage of the inert to the mattress. Several forms of tether loop connections to an insert are disclosed for different constructions of wave motion-inhibiting inserts.

Abstract: A system providing universal support for patients includes an articulated platform supported by a universal joint supported by a pair of hydraulic support arms, and by a pair of lesser hydraulic arms spaced from the universal joint. The platform is comprised of a plurality of relatively hinged panels which are also hydraulicly driven. Thus, the platform is capable of assuming a large number of configurations, including full sitting and standing positions. A patient cushion system includes a large plurality of cushions which are individually or severally controlled through a valve and manifold system which is computer controlled for cycling cushion pressures between high and low pressures. The sides of the bed platform have restraining members which may be lowered and hinged in toward the patient to provide access to the patient. These restraining members also provide for supplemental support of such things as a canopy or tension weight.

Abstract: A self-inflatable air mattress having a built-in bellows. A portion of the air mattress support is manually moved up and down actuating the bellows to introduce air into the mattress. The air inlet is of large area and a substantial amount of air is introduced upon each manual actuation of the support. A valve may be associated with the bellows and air inlet to selectively reverse the air flow so that the air mattress can be quickly deflated, if desired.

Abstract: An apparatus for raising one end of a bed which comprises the placement of elevator blocks under the support legs of one end of a conventional bed. The elevator block comprises top and bottom ends that are non-parallel planar surfaces. The planar surface of the top end is inclined to allow for proper mating of the top end of the elevator block with a bed leg in the bed's raised position. Provision is also made for a removable insert in a cavity of the top end of the elevator block, so that bed legs can sit either within the cavity for increased stability or upon the top of the insert, depending upon the size of the bed leg. The use of slip-resistant materials on the surfaces contacting either the floor or bed leg also add to the stability of the bed in the raised position.