Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of heath plant named Erica persoluta `Happy II`, a seedling of unknown pollen and seed parentage, discovered in a field of Erica persoluta `Sunset`, which is distinguished from Erica persoluta `Happy` and all other varieties known to me by its ease of propagation, its resistance to root diseases, and the color of its flower.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Ilex plant found as an openly pollinated seedling of Ilex Hybrid `Mary Nell`. The variety possesses a dense, upright, pyramidal growth habit, flower which produce functional pollen and ovaries, attractive orange-red fruit, glossy dark green foliage, and distinctly arranged leaf serrations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) named `Frau Katsuko` which originated as a seedling from the inventor's controlled hybridization of the Hydrangea macrophylla cultivars `Madam Blumkock` and `Silver-Edge` and is distinguished from its parents by the combination of its pigmentation pattern in its sepals which is predominently colored with deep, irregular, white edges; its deeply serrated, ruffled edges; and its dense inflorescence that does not require staking for support. Pigmentation is darkest at base of sepal, fading slightly as it progresses along the length and width of the sepal, and then turns white as far as 5 mm from edge. The sepals of `Madam Blumkock` are uniformy pigmented one color, while the sepals of `Silver-Edge` are also uniformly pigmented except the sepal edges are white.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea macrophylla subsp. macrophylla var. normalis (Thunb.) named `Frau Reiko` which originated as a seedling from the inventor's controlled hybridization of the cultivars Hydrangea macrophylla and Hydrangea macrophylla DC var. hortensia `Silver-Edge`. `Frau Reiko` is a lace cap Hydrangea characterized by an inflorescence consisting predominently of non-sepalous florets in the center with some open florets on the perimeter. The non-sepalous buds open to provide a pink or violet background to the exposed white pollen. The color of the sepalous buds, is predominately blue or pink with narrow delineated, finely serrated white edges. The pigmentation begins at the apex and fades slightly as it progresses across the length and width of the sepals, and then turns white 5 mm or less from edge. Dark pigmentation ocassionally reaches the edge of the sepal the apex. The sepals are also characterized by their finely serrate edges.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of carnation plant named Mondriaan, characterized by its dark red main flower color with white margins and darker red throats; upper surfAce of flower is generally flat, generally wavy petal form, with crenate-dentate outer margin; elliptical, flat leaves which are blue-green in color, and it funnel-shaped calyx with short, acute lobes.

Abstract: A new and distinct Chrysanthemum cultivar named `Chalurido` is provided. The new cultivar is a mutation of the `Chalecat` cultivar (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 08/273,998, filed Jul. 12, 1994). Attractive large double incurved blossoms of the pompon type are formed that are Venetian violet on the inner ray floret surfaces and silvery lavender on the outer ray floret surfaces. The blossoms are long lasting and commonly keep their form for approximately three weeks on the plant and more than four weeks in a vase. The response period of the flowers is approximately nine weeks. Recurrent profuse flower production throughout the year is possible. The plant possesses strong thin stems, forms dark green glossy leaves, and commonly assumes a height of approximately 45 to 50 cm. The new cultivar is particularly suited for use in the production of a decorative pot Chrysanthemum that grows well single stem or disbudded. No growth regulator is necessary to achieve the short to medium plant height.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of geranium named Fischic, particularly characterized by the combined features of intense bluish pink flower color, semi-double flower type, light green foliage with weak zonation, compact plant habit, and medium early flower response.

Abstract: A Begonia plant named Azotus particularly characterized by its flowering throughout the year, double flowers with multi-rowed flower petals, unique purple-red flower color, and good keeping quality through the winter.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Begonia named `Berlin` characterized by a compact growth habit with excellent branching; simple, alternate, dark green, double-serrated foliage that is ovate to orbicular and pink flowers on a sturdy peduncle with 15 or more tepals.

Abstract: An adjustable bed includes a base frame and a mattress frame having a plurality of pivotally interconnected sections. A plurality of links are positioned between the base frame and the mattress frame. The mattress frame may be moved between a high position and a low position. A single linear actuator is connected to the mattress frame. The actuator is extendable and retractable to raise and lower the mattress frame with the mattress frame sections in a common plane. The actuator may also be retracted when the mattress frame is in the low position to articulate the mattress frame sections.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a new method for the production of a starch raw material for subsequently obtaining pure starch from wheat, rye, corn or barley. Fractions of starch which is damaged as little as possible are produced by means of roller grinding and sifting devices. The material is ground repeatedly and sifted with the system of advanced milling, wherein it is suggested in particular to guide the material two to five times via double-grinding stages without sifting between the double grindings. Sifting is effected subsequent to the double grinding. The invention also concerns a starch milling system which comprises two to five double-grinding passes with two grinding-roll pairs which are connected one after the other and are preferably constructed as an eight-roll mill.

Abstract: An array of electron beam tubes is mounted on a conductive plate for projecting strip-like electron beams through air onto a substrate beneath the plate. The tubes each have a narrow beam window formed by a very thin low-Z film layer, supported by silicon and sealing the tube against ambient pressure. Such windows produce low beam attenuation and allow low extraction voltages to be used, thereby reducing beam energy which would otherwise be lost by penetration through a surface to be treated. The stripe-like output electron beam segments may be formed into a linear beam track so that the entire widthwise extent of a surface, such as a sheet or web, may be treated by electron beam irradiation or the beam segments may be formed into any desired composite beam pattern. In another embodiment the stripe-like output beam segments may be arranged in an array to treat a circular circumferential surface, such as a cable.

Abstract: An acoustic wave device employing surfaces skimming bulk waves comprises a piezo electric substrate having a flat surface which carries an input transducer and an output transducer for respectively lanuching and receiving acoustic waves into and from the bulk of the substrate. The substrate may be of quartz, lithium tantalate, or lithium niobate and has the flat surface orientated so that a surface skimming bulk wave is launched without generation of surface acoustic waves.

Abstract: A magnetic tape drive has firmware which has been modified so that the drive will read both standard formal tapes and non-standard format tapes. Non-standard tapes are detected by an absence of reference bursts in the load zone of the tape. The head is moved to successive tracks toward the edge of the tape until no data is read. This identifies the track near the edge of the tape. Then, the head is preset to a track which is a known distance from the edge of the tape. Reading of non-standard tapes is accomplished by disabling the index pulse generator in the intervals between data segments. The performance of a SKIP COMMAND is made possible by counting the transitions of data to no data during the intervals between data segments. The identification of different types of non-standard formats is made by determining the length of the data segments.

Abstract: An easy-to-clean bib comprises a body, preferably made of a durable, flexible and non-porous material, and has a front and a back. The material is easy to clean and does not allow liquid to leak through as opposed to some bibs that are made of paper, plastic or similar light materials. The body includes two upper sections for placement on opposite sides of a user's neck. The upper sections include cooperative fasteners that fasten the upper sections together and thereby cause a portion of the bib body to bow outwardly in order to conform to the user's chest to help prevent particles and liquid from falling under the bib and onto the user. The bib body further includes a lower section for forming a temporary pouch. The pouch is formed by folding each of two lower comer portions up towards the front of the body and fastening a bottom piece of a cooperative fastener to its corresponding top piece and then fastening a bottom piece of a second cooperative fastener to its corresponding top piece.

Abstract: A back finger portion of a glove is provided which is composed of (a) a modified star pattern piece having four radiating projections, the radiating projections forming a first portion of four back finger parts, the star pattern piece having an inner cutout with a junction edge, and (b) four back finger pattern pieces joined to the four radiating projections respectively, the back finger pattern pieces forming a second portion of the four back finger parts respectively. A glove is provided which incorporates the back finger portion and a conventional palm pattern piece, preferably a flat single palm piece. A method of making the back finger portion and the glove are also provided.

Abstract: A headgear having an attachable whistle, comprises a pair of perforations(2), a pair of protrudes(8) fixed on the inner part of the disc(3) to fit the disc with the cap(1), and a connecting mean(4) to connect the disc(3) with a flexible electric wire(6) of which a whistle(7) is suspended in one end, via a decoration clip(5) characterized in that, when an user blow up the whistle(7), it makes a sound like a harmonica or a whistle and on the other hand when the user press down a button(3b) of the electric disc(3) secured on one side of the cap(1), it make an electric sound and twinkled a lamp (3a) .

Abstract: A coat sleeve includes a cuff that folds down to cover the palm portion of the hand. The cuff is held in place over the palm by constrictions about the wrist and knuckles. The constrictions include means for snugging and loosening (elastic and/or fasteners such as snaps, buttons, or VELCRO). The fingers extend from the sleeve end and the thumb extends through a thumb hole disposed between the wrist and knuckle constrictions. In one embodiment the thumb hole connects to the sleeve end and the knuckle constriction acts as a closure for the thumb hole and for the cuff.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protective ear guard assembly for covering and protecting portions of a user's head, particularly for wrestlers. The assembly includes a pair of ear guards each consisting of a resilient semi-rigid shell having a cup shaped center section and a peripheral outer flange, a plurality of strap attachments, an outer partially compressed foam pad corresponding to the shape and size of the shell and having a plurality of raised areas, an inner foam ring corresponding substantially to the outer flange of the shell and a molded flexible outer cover substantially covering the foam pads and having openings corresponding to the raised areas of the outer foam pad whereby those raised areas protrude through the outer skin cover.

Abstract: A lavatory seat cleaning apparatus comprises cleaner pad (4, 4'), guide slot (12) engageable with the cleaning pad to guide slot the cleaning pad around an associated lavatory seat (2) in engagement therewith, and a knob (9) for moving the cleaner pad along the guide slot.

Abstract: An automatic toilet seat closing apparatus that operates on a controlled release of air. A control cylinder coupled to a seat closure member is secured to a conventional toilet bowl by placement of a universal support base positionable beneath the coupling hinge used by the seat. A water sensor is available for placement in a conventional water closet allowing release of air when the water level drops due to flushing of the toilet bowl. Alternatively, the apparatus will allow a controlled lowering of the toilet seat allowing the apparatus to be coupled to toilet bowls having water savers or non-conventional water closets such as those found on motor homes and boats. In addition, the device may be integrated into new toilet structures thereby eliminating the need for a separate support base.

Abstract: A bidet attachment is built into a toilet seat, which toilet seat includes a chamber opening to the sides of the seat. The bidet attachment includes a spray nozzle connected to a water supply via lines and valves. The nozzle rotates from a storage position within the chamber of the seat to a use position over the toilet bowl. The supply lines and valves are housed within the seat with the threaded water inlet connectors and flow control knobs extending exteriorly of the toilet seat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pool which permits movements such as complicated twisting of the legs and loins in stretching movements to be easily performed in water. The pool has a space surrounded by walls and a bottom and an irregular portion including recesses each having the form of an isosceles right-angled triangular prism, which are formed on a portion of the walls, and the projections formed between the respective adjacent recesses. The pool further has substantially horizontal handrails respectively provided at the upper ends of the recesses. Massage nozzles may also be provided in the walls of the recesses so as to spray streams of water.

Abstract: A variable temperature electronic faucet water supply system provides a plurality of preset water temperature settings from which the user may select a desired water temperature by pressing a temperature selection button. If no water temperature is selected by the user, the faucet automatically delivers water at a default temperature setting. The faucet water supply system includes a motion detector mounted in the head of the faucet which will detect motion near the faucet head. The water is delivered from the faucet head at the preselected temperature when motion is detected near the faucet head. Water is delivered at the preselected temperature for up to two seconds after motion is last detected near the faucet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a foldable baby playyard having improved bottom foldable hub member and foldable rail joint connecting members. The improved structure of the foldable hub member and the foldable rail joint connecting members enable the playyard to be conveniently and quickly collapsed and folded to occupy a room as small as possible. On the other hand, the playyard can also be quickly extended again from the folded state to be safely used by a baby without the risk of becoming unexpectedly collapsed or unstably swayed due to any force applied to the foldable hub member and/or the foldable joint connecting members by the baby in the playyard.

Abstract: A bed including a base, a mattress overlying the base and apparatus for varying the hardness of the bed to take into account the changing personal circumstances of the user, for example, aging, gaining weight etc. and to compensate for the wear and tear on the mattress. The base includes a generally rectangular frame and a plurality of crosspieces traversing thereacross such that the hardness of the bed is varied by varying the number of crosspieces. The mattress includes a filling in which its hardness is varied by varying the amount of the filling, its components or adjusting the packing density of a composite filling having a foam substrate with a plurality of substantially incompressible marble-size balls embedded therein.

Abstract: A cushion is disclosed herein for supporting a pregnant woman in a face-down position for resting and preparatory to and during a massaging procedure. The cushion is composed of a soft, foam-like material having a central recess or cavity defined in a surrounding continuous ridge to provide an integral unitary construction. The ridge includes sidewalls joined at a front end by a neck and chin transverse end wall and joined as a rear end by a leg and knee support. Sloping wall sections join the sidewalls with the leg and knee support whereby a flat planar surface of the leg and knee support resides below the top surface of the sidewalls. Internal sloping walls connect the front and rear ends with the bottom of the recess or cavity. A cushioned insert is carried within the recess that is reversible and having opposite textured or contoured sides. A cover, a handle and a carrying strap complete the construction.

Abstract: A washing method capable of washing the laundry made of a fabric which is thin and shrinkable such as silks, wools, etc., simply at home without damaging the delicate fabrics and washing machine which is suitable for carrying out the above washing method. A detergent is introduced into a washing tank equipped with a rotary blade for generating a water stream and then a first amount of water suitable for diluting the detergent is introduced into the washing tank. Then, while rotating the rotary blade to generate a first water stream in the first amount of water, water is continuously introduced into the washing tank, so that the detergent is diluted in the first amount of water and that the washing tank is filled with a second amount of water suitable for washing the washing object.

Abstract: A method of rinsing in an automatic washer having an imperforate wash tub, a perforate wash basket disposed within the tub and rotatable about a vertical axis and a bottom plate disposed within the lower portion of the wash basket and mounted for wobbling motion. The method of rinsing includes adding rinse liquid into the wash basket and recirculating the rinse liquid over the clothes items while driving the bottom plate in a nutating movement. Nutating movement describes the movement of the bottom plate wherein the bottom plate is slowly rotated within the wash basket while being driven in a rapid wobbling motion. In this fashion, the clothes are repeatedly moved under a spray pattern of rinse liquid while being jostled and flexed for achieving the desired excellent detergent and soil removal during rinse.

Abstract: A guide groove provided in an inner lower cord of a bridge section of a portable bridge includes an extruded profile section which is comprised of a vertical strip having an upper end and a lower end, and being composed of, over its entire height in at least a partial cross section thereof, a homogeneous material; and an upper wall section extending from the upper end of the vertical strip and a lower wall section extending from the lower end of the vertical strip. The guide groove has an increased service life when the vertical strip has a thickness in cross section which is reduced at the center portion of the bridge section over at least a part of the length of the bridge section in respect to at least one of the end portions of the bridge section. The guide groove is repairable by a method in which an insertion element is replaced, the insertion element being provided over a part of the length of the bridge section in which the thickness in cross section of the vertical strip is not reduced.