Abstract: A rocker arm or a finger lever (1) receives a valve clearance compensation element (4) in a reception bore (3). A cap (15) inserted into this reception bore (3) supports one end of an inner piston (7) of the valve clearance compensation element (4). This cap, through which on the one hand, the pressure medium is fed into an oil reservoir (8) and which, on the other hand, vents this oil reservoir (8) is fixed by an extension (17) in a complementary opening (18) of the rocker arm or the finger lever.

Abstract: A valve tappet actuated by a cam of an internal combustion engine comprises a cup (1) having a hollow cylindrical skirt (2) and a cup bottom (3) which closes the skirt (2) at one end. On an outer surface, the skirt (2) comprises a peripheral groove (4), and on an inner surface, at least one bead (5). Concentrically arranged within the cup (1) is an inner element (6) whose casing (9) bears against the bead (5, 21). A hydraulic valve clearance compensation element (10) is guided for axial displacement in the inner element (6). To simplify the manufacturing of this valve tappet, it is proposed that the cup (1) is hardened in a heat treatment process, and the inner element (5) is unhardened.

Abstract: A device for controlling fuel injection into an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The device comprises an accumulator for supplying pressurized fuel to a fuel injection valve, a high-pressure pump for discharging fuel into the accumulator using the engine as a power source, and a low-pressure pump for discharging fuel into the high-pressure pump using a power source other than the engine. At the start of the engine, the fuel discharged from the low-pressure pump is substantially directly introduced into the accumulator through a pump chamber of the high-pressure pump. To elevate the pressure within the accumulator for a short period to a fuel pressure capable of injecting fuel at the start of the engine, an opening and closing valve is provided in a suction passage that communicates the discharge side of the low-pressure pump with the suction side of the high-pressure pump, and is maintained to be opened at the start of the engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is furnished with a cross flow cylinder head 1 having an exhaust duct 11 which opens on a longitudinal side wall 12 and two intake ducts 10a, 10b which open on the upper cover surface 14 in a region of the cylinder head 1 on the side toward the longitudinal side wall 12. By having the intake ducts and the exhaust duct on the same longitudinal side of the internal combustion engine relative to the central vertical longitudinal plane through the internal combustion engine, the opposite longitudinal side of the internal combustion engine remains completely free for other attachments. A pair of intake valve stem openings 8a, 8b and a pair of exhaust stem valve stem openings 9a, 9b lie in parallel planes disposed at an angle to a longitudinal plane through the axis of the engine cylinder and an injection line opening 20 extends from the aforesaid opposite longitudinal side and between said planes to an injection valve mounting hole 17.

Abstract: A continuous compression ring and a continuous oil control ring for a piston reciprocally operable in a combustion cylinder of an IC engine, the continuous compression ring being cooperatively receivable in a groove extending around the piston and having a generally G-shaped cross-sectional shape including a circumferentially extending lip positioned to be located radially outwardly of a cylindrical outer surface extending around the piston, the lip adapted for forming a substantially sealed condition around the piston in cooperation with an oil film on the combustion cylinder wall, the continuous oil control ring being cooperatively receivable in another groove extending around the piston and having a generally n-shaped cross-sectional shape including a circumferentially extending leg portion adapted to be positioned radially outwardly of the outer surface of the piston around the piston for scraping the oil film on the combustion cylinder wall during the reciprocal operation of the piston in the combustion

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine with an engine block, a cylinder head with a camshaft mounted on the engine block, a crankshaft mounted on the engine block opposite the cylinder head and a camshaft timing drive interconnecting the crankshaft and the camshaft, a camshaft timing drive enclosure is disposed at one end of the engine and fully encloses the camshaft timing drive, and the enclosure has extensions extending over the side walls of the engine block and covering openings formed in the side walls of the engine block providing for a light-weight arrangement with noise attenuating properties.

Abstract: A variable displacement internal combustion engine having a series of at least three cylinders, each having a piston attached to a connecting rod which drives a crankshaft which is common to the three cylinders, wherein the cylinders include a first cylinder, a second cylinder having about twice the capacity of the first cylinder, and a third cylinder having about twice the capacity of the second cylinder, and in which each cylinder may be independently deactivated to allow selected cylinders to operate in an idle mode, whereby the power output of the engine may be widely varied. Preferably, the engine has its cylinders arranged in opposed pairs of first, second, and third cylinders, and also has a pair of fourth cylinders which are each twice the capacity of each third cylinder.

Abstract: A combustion system for a divided chamber engine that incorporates a pre-combustion chamber disposed to one side of the cylinder and that communicates with the main combustion chamber through two diverging transfer passages the open ends of which are aimed to direct the discharge from the pre-combustion chamber towards the sides of the combustion chamber and not at the center of the piston or the exhaust valve wherein the localized temperature at the piston's center is reduced and the exhaust valve temperature is not elevated.

Abstract: A start-up strategy for engine feedback control that utilizes a combustion condition sensor associated with only one cylinder. On starting and warm-up, only that one cylinder is feedback-controlled at all times. Under these conditions, the amount of corrected fuel supplied to the feedback cylinder is added to a fixed incremental amount of fuel that will be supplied to the remaining cylinders. This promotes smooth warm-up without backfiring or stalling and a quicker transition to all cylinder feedback control.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling combustion of an engine. The engine has a throttle valve located in an intake duct connected to combustion chambers, and a brake booster actuated by vacuum supplied by the intake duct. During stratified charge combustion, if vacuum supplied to the brake booster is insufficient, an ECU decreases the opening of the throttle valve thereby increasing the vacuum. The ECU switches the combustion mode to stratified charge combustion if a target injection amount, which corresponds to load applied to the engine, is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value. When the target injection amount is greater than the value, the ECU switches the combustion mode to homogeneous charge combustion. During stratified charge combustion, the ECU sets the determination value to a smaller value when an operation for producing vacuum is performed than when the operation is not performed. This procedure improves fuel economy.

Abstract: A direct-injection spark-ignition engine having engine cylinders bored in a cylinder block, and a cylinder head mounted on the cylinder block, comprises at least one intake port provided for each of the engine cylinders. The ratio V/A of a stroke volume V (cm.sup.3) per cylinder to a cross-sectional area A (cm.sup.2) is set within a predetermined range defined by 45.ltoreq.V/A.ltoreq.55, where the cross-sectional area A is a minimum cross-sectional area obtained when the at least one intake port is cut by a plane extending in a direction substantially normal to a stream line of intake air flowing through the intake port.

Abstract: A feed back control system and method for direct injected engines, particularly useful in marine applications to avoid excessive hunting due to the close proximity of the sensor to the fuel injector. Both injection initiation and duration are controlled. Under certain conditions such as lean burn, steady state and transition from rich to lean the control is initially of only one of these two factors. If the air fuel ratio is then still out of range, the other control is effected.

Abstract: A setpoint torque is determined from a torque factor, a maximum torque and a minimum torque. The torque factor is derived from a pedal value and a rotational speed. The maximum and minimum torques are determined as a function of the rotational speed, a loss torque and engine performance parameters. The loss torque is determined as a function of the rotational speed and the performance parameters.

Abstract: An idle speed control device has a valve portion disposed in an auxiliary intake air passage by-passing a throttle valve disposed in a main intake air passage for opening and closing a valve provided in the auxiliary air passage, and a spring urging the valve portion to close. The spring is arranged in a portion separated from the air flow in the auxiliary intake air passage, and the valve portion has a guide portion formed therein to be integrated therewith for guiding sliding of the valve portion.

Abstract: A dual throttle system for an internal combustion engine includes first foot pedal throttle and a second hand controller throttle. The system includes a throttle position signal generator that produces a throttle position signal at an input to an electronic engine control module (ECM). The engine control module uses the throttle position signal input to determine an engine speed and issues appropriate commands to a fuel system controller. The throttle position generator includes a first potentiometer having its wiper mechanically connected to the first throttle and its output electrically connected to the throttle position signal input of the ECM. The first potentiometer is connected in series between a voltage source in the ECM and the wiper of a second variable resistance component driven by the second throttle. The output of the second component is connected to ground to complete the series circuit.

Abstract: The fuel injection control device includes an electronic control unit (ECU) for controlling a fuel injection amount of the diesel engine of an automobile. The ECU determines a basic fuel injection amount in accordance with the engine operating condition such as the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal, the intake air amount and the engine speed. Further, the ECU estimates the magnitude of the torsional vibration of the output shaft system of the engine when the basic fuel injection amount of fuel is supplied to the engine using a model of the output shaft system. The ECU performs a feedforward control based on the estimated magnitude of the torsional vibration and corrects the basic fuel injection amount so that the torsional vibration becomes small. Therefore, the fuel injection amount is corrected to attenuate the torsional vibration before the torsional vibration actually occurs.

Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a plurality of hydraulically actuated fuel injectors with direct control needle valves. Each injector has an injector body that defines an actuation fluid inlet, a fuel supply passage and a needle control chamber. A needle valve member is movably mounted in the injector body and has a closing hydraulic surface exposed to pressure in the needle control chamber. Each injector also includes a relatively slow moving actuation fluid control valve member and a relatively fast moving needle control valve member. A source of low pressure fluid is connected to the fuel supply passage, and a source of high pressure fluid is connected to the actuation fluid inlet.

Abstract: A control arrangement for a fuel system having a fuel pump (13) for supplying fuel through a variable orifice flow metering valve (15) to an engine main fuel control (45), the control (45) controlling the fuel pressure differential across the orifice of the metering valve (15). A head sensor includes a movable diaphragm (51), a bypass valve (47) for diverting fuel from the fuel pump away from the metering valve (15), and a coupling between the diaphragm (51) and the bypass valve (47) whereby the bypass valve (47) opens and closes in response to diaphragm (51) motion. The metering valve orifice fuel pressure differential is applied across the diaphragm (51) so that a valve spool (55) may open and close to maintain the pressure differential across the metering valve (15) substantially constant. A bias spring (54) normally biases the spool (55) closed.

Abstract: A vehicular fuel supply apparatus in which a sub-tank 21 that is inserted into and attached to the bottom wall opening 1b of the fuel tank 1 has integrally formed therein by molding a fuel chamber 24, support cavities 7c, 22c, 23c and a fuel flow paths 27 and 29, and a fuel pump 7, a fuel filter 22 and a pressure regulator 23 are accommodated and supported within the respective support cavities. The fuel chamber 24 is substantially closed against a rush flow of the fuel except for the air vent hole 24b and the fuel inlet port 24a through which the fuel flows at a predetermined flow rate per time, and has formed in the wall surface of the fuel pump support cavity 7c a groove 38 for accommodating and supporting a power supply line 11. Parts for assembling the components or elements of the apparatus are not necessary and the weight and the parts number is decreased, resulting in an easy assembly and a small cost.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for eliminating cavitation in the excess fuel return orifice(s) in the compression chamber of a fuel injection pump of an internal combustion engine after the end of the injection stage, said injection pump being connected firstly to a feed duct including a first check valve having low headloss enabling fuel to reach the compression chamber, and secondly to an excess fuel return duct,wherein the return duct comprises in parallel and close to the return orifice of the injection pump, a second check valve that is rated to cause the pressure in said return orifice of the injection pump to rise, and a two-port valve that is normally open and that is caused to close by the appearance of pressure in the return orifice greater than the pressure which obtains in the feed duct upstream from said first check valve.

Abstract: The performance of an internal combustion engine is optimized utilizing an electrically controlled driver which is located relative to the intake port to excite the intake charge at a selected frequency, duration and power level which depends on the engine operating condition. The purpose of this excitation is to control combustion by optimizing large scale recirculation patterns of the intake charge within the combustion chamber. In particular, this device will provide the effect of optimizing volumetric efficiency at wide open throttle and minimize fuel consumption and emissions at part throttle. An electronic engine controller varies the operation of the drive device as a function of engine operating conditions. The driver excites the intake charge at a frequency of about 5 to 1000 times of the engine speed.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, fuel is delivered from a fuel source through a pressurized fuel line into a first flow conditioner. A return pressure regulator is connected to the pressurized fuel line and bleeds excess fuel pressure back into the fuel source. The first flow conditioner disrupts the flow of the fuel in the fuel line and disperses the fuel molecules. From the first flow conditioner, the fuel travels into a fuel expander which is connected to a source of heat. The fuel is heated in the fuel expander thereby exciting the fuel molecules. From the fuel expander the fuel is directed through a second flow conditioner to further agitate the fuel molecules. A metered amount of fuel is then passed into the internal combustion engine for combustion by the engine. A fuel pressure regulator is connected to the internal combustion engine and maintains a constant fuel pressure in the fuel delivery system.

Abstract: Exhaust gas re-circulating valves are provided in an exhaust gas re-circulating passage communicating with an exhaust system and an intake system of an engine provided with a plurality of cylinders such that the distance between the exhaust gas re-circulating valve and a corresponding cylinder is identical for all the cylinders.

Abstract: A rocker support assembly for a motorcycle internal combustion engine. The assembly comprises a pair of rockers positioned in spaced relation from each other, a breather housing, and a pressure-responsive member. The housing at least partially defines an inlet aperture, an outlet aperture, and a passage in fluid communication between the inlet aperture and the outlet aperture. The passage is positioned substantially between the rockers. The pressure-responsive member is disposed in the passage and is operable in response to pressure differences in the passage to permit or inhibit fluid flow through the passage from the inlet to the outlet. A filter element is disposed within the housing such that substantially all fluid flowing from the inlet aperture to the outlet aperture passes through the filter element.

Abstract: A blowby gas path structure for an internal combustion engine prevents deterioration in an oil separating function of a breather chamber of a head cover by reducing oil mist conveyed therethrough. The blowby gas path structure includes a plurality of blowby gas paths. The plurality of blowby gas paths have different path sectional areas. Ends of the gas paths are opened to a crank chamber of an internal combustion engine and pass through a cylinder block and a cylinder head. The other ends of the gas paths are opened to a breather chamber of a head cover and open at a communication chamber.

Abstract: A sealed, high volume, high velocity, vented 180 degree radius turnaround anti-reversionary flow correcting filtering device with no moving parts for improving induction velocity comprised of 2 flared pipes forming a radius turnaround Venturi configuration wherein the head intake runner wall helps form the coaxial cylindrical air curtain, with a funneled restriction point, 2 vacuum points and mounting legs for positioning and creating turbulence streams, for installation in 4 stroke combustion engine ports of both round and non-round designs. This invention increases engine performance and efficiency, and decreases wasteful and atmospheric-polluting exhaust emissions. There have been no prior 180 degree turnaround, high velocity, high volume reversion filtering devices in use up to and through the 1998 motor vehicle year.

Abstract: A gas-powered paintball gun has two pressure regulators which supply two different gas pressures for gun operation: a lower-pressure gas for quickly but gently loading balls into the chamber of the gun, and a high-pressure gas for consistently and efficiently propelling balls out of the barrel. A further aspect of the invention resides in the arrangement of the bolt under a removable cover, which gives easy access to the bolt, the breech and the barrel to enable these parts to be cleaned without major disassembly of other parts of the gun.

Abstract: An ingot slicing method and apparatus is disclosed. An ingot is sliced by a wire saw having a wire wound over a plurality of grooved rollers at a predetermined pitch. The ingot is secured to a holder and then pressed onto the wire which is carried along one direction or reciprocatively carried over a plurality of grooved rollers. The holder is shifted along one direction parallel to an axis of the grooved rollers until about a half section of the ingot is sliced. The holder is shifted along an inverse direction during slicing the remainder of the ingot. Thus, a wafer sliced off the ingot has a bowed shape corresponding to a locus of movement of the holder.

Abstract: A closed loop wire saw loop, a method for making the closed wire saw loop, and an apparatus and method for slicing a work piece, in particular, a polysilicon or single crystal silicon ingot, utilizing a closed loop of diamond impregnated wire in which the work piece (or ingot) is rotated about its longitudinal axis as the diamond wire is driven orthogonally to it and advanced from a position adjoining the outer diameter ("OD") of the ingot towards its inner diameter ("ID"). In this manner, the diamond wire cuts through the work piece at a substantially tangential point to the circumference of the cut instead of through up to the entire diameter of the piece and single crystal silicon ingots of 300 mm to 400 mm or more may be sliced into wafers relatively quickly, with minimal `kerf` loss and less extensive follow-on lapping operations. The closed wire saw loop is made by squaring and welding the wire ends together and then twice heat treating the weld at about 1500 F.

Abstract: A forced convective track oven comprises a track conveyor including first and second cylindrical spirals, the first cylindrical spiral for conveying bakery trays and dough products upwardly and the second spiral spiral portion for conveying bakery trays and dough products downwardly, thereby minimizing the number of changes of direction of the bakery trays as they travel along the track conveyor. A plurality of burners discharge heated air through discharge tubes and discharge nozzles into engagement with bakery trays carried by the track conveyor.

Abstract: This invention provides charcoal cookers the ability to concentrate the fuel and to be able to remove the divider without disrupting the grill or food cooking on it while in operation. The invention further provides charcoal cookers with the ability to reposition a charcoal grill divider of this invention without disrupting the grill or food cooking on it while in operation.

Abstract: A light-weight portable cooking gas stove which is used for cooking at a picnic, hiking, camping, climbing, etc., comprises a hollow circular plate, a circular pipe gas cylinder, a piezo ignition means, a ceramic circular crater substantially centrally disposed with respect to the plate, and an upper cover. The circular gas cylinder is installed adjacent an inner circumference on the bottom of the hollow circular plate to ensure physical stability of the stove. The circular pipe gas cylinder includes on its exterior a gas fuel injection entrance. The ceramic circular crater has a great number of fine through holes to enhance heat efficiency by emission of infra-red rays when ignited. The gas injection entrance and all control means for cooking is operable from the exterior of the hollow circular plate.

Abstract: A patio table and outdoor barbecue combination in which a burner pit is positioned in the upper section of a table central, hollow-core pedestal, and can be covered when not in use by a lid flush with the upper surface of the table slab. In the charcoal-fuel embodiment, the cooking griddle, charcoal plate, and ash-collecting bucket are held at successively space-apart levels within the inner wall of the burner pit which has an inverted frusto-conical shape. In the gas-fired embodiment, a small propane canister is conveniently located under the table top.

Abstract: A combination portable gas barbecue and portable simulation fireplace includes a cooking vessel having imitation fireplace logs and a gas burner mounted on a lift-out log grate. A window is mounted in the front of the cooking vessel to allow direct viewing of the imitation logs and flames and of the underside of the food being cooked. Air inlet and outlets cause convection currents to flow away from the viewing window and out side vents formed by gaps between an oversized hood and the cooking vessel. An air convection system is set up by providing an air inlet below the window and outlet air gaps between the hood and the cooking vessel. A deflector is provided over the viewing window to prevent grease drippings from soiling the window or falling into the air inlet. A removable heat exchanger heats up air by contact with the walls of the cooking vessel and directs the resulting warm air to the front of the cooking vessel.

Abstract: A housing for an outdoor gas fired construction heater that incorporates a one-piece shell design that sits on and mounts directly to the base. Openings are used in the sides near the top and the bottom of the shell to provide the burner system with a metered amount of inlet air. Integrally formed, inwardly and downwardly projecting panels protect the burner system from debris, drafts at floor level, and to shield the floor on which the burner sits from infrared energy. In order to increase the strength of the top and shell assembly, the top sits on and is directly mounted to the shell. The shell height and top openings are of a size to allow heat out but to prevent drafts from pulling the flame out of the top of the heater.

Abstract: An emission control system for an asphalt kettle combines a number of features to increase efficiency and convenience of operation, while minimizing potential safety hazards. The asphalt kettle is connected via a duct to a separate afterburner device equipped with a fan. This fan pulls fumes from a hood of the kettle through the duct to the afterburner device. The fan then pushes the fumes into a combustion chamber housed in the afterburner device. The combustion chamber includes an air port having an outlet proximate to the burner for furnishing a supply of fresh air to the flame to prevent its being extinguished by the rapid movement of gas through the combustion chamber. The afterburner device may include a one-way valve that prevents backdraft of ignited fumes from the combustion chamber into the kettle due to negative pressure within the kettle. The afterburner device may also include a temperature sensor that shuts down the fan in the event of kettle ignition.

Abstract: A nostril dilator with a longitudinal shape having a first nostril holding member and a second nostril holding member located at opposing ends. Each holding member is provided with a first layer of adhesive for temporary adherence to the nostril. The nostril dilator also comprising a connecting member for joining the first and second holding members to each other and keeping them at a distance from each other. The nostril dilator also having an elastic member connected at least to the first and second holding members for drawing open the nostrils of the nose.

Abstract: An inhalation device is provided for inhalation of a powder medicament. The device comprises a body 55 defining a reservoir 56 for medicaments in powder form, an outlet 57 through which a user can inhale and a dosing member 53 with at least one metering recess 65 formed therein. The dosing member 53 is moveable between a position in which the at least one metering recess 65 communicates with the reservoir 56 to receive a dose of powder therefrom and a position in which the at least one metering recess 65 communicates with the outlet 57 to permit the user to inhale the dose. The at least one metering recess 65 is formed in a face of the dosing member 53, the face being mounted in contact against a similar mating face 60 of the body 55 at the lower end of the reservoir 56. At least one moveable weight may be incorporated within the device, adapted to strike an anvil surface when the device is shaken.

Abstract: A powder inhalation device comprising a housing containing a pharmacologically active compound, a conduit (8) with an outlet extending into the housing through which a user can inhale to create an airflow through the conduit, a dosing unit (6,7) for delivering a dose of the compound to the conduit and baffles (9) arranged within the said conduit to aid disintegration of powder agglomerates entrained in said airflow. The baffles (9) comprise a plurality of staggered plates extending into the conduit from opposite sides of the conduit at an angle of less than 90.degree. to the sides of the conduit and are inclined towards the outlet to create a plurality of constrictions within the conduit and a plurality of changes in the direction of the said airflow through the conduit.

Abstract: A non-contact gas dispenser comprising a head set apparatus, a gas source and a conduit for directing the desired gas to a region proximate to the user's nose and mouth. The gas source preferably is a pressure swing adsorption apparatus that allows the user to select one of at least two pre-determined settings of product gas, each setting having a distinct concentration and flow rate different from the other setting(s).

Abstract: A compliance ring for indicating into which nostril medication has last been sprayed, comprises fixed and movable rings engaged to each other and held between the actuator and the reservoir bottle of the dispenser of the medication. The fixed ring has a cylindrical skirt which is interrupted by a rectangular recess and a movable ring has an outwardly projecting indicator which, with rotation of the movable ring in the fixed ring, moves from one position to the other. In one position, the indicator registers with the letter "R" on the upper surface of the fixed ring, and in the opposition position, the indicator registers with the letter "L". The letters "L" and "R" indicate left and right nostrils which have received medication or are meant to receive medication next.

Abstract: An automatic selection system utilizes a computer which automatically localizes the heart and automatically selects the most suitable representative slice among a set of transverse slices, which are reconstructed from the myocardial SPECT projection data, for determination of the left ventricular oblique axis in 3-D space. An intensity profile, which consists of maximum counts of each slice and correlates to the radioactivity of the organs in the reconstructed volume, is analyzed. The heart's left ventricle is localized and the representative slice is selected based upon the local and global extrema of such profile.

Abstract: The invention discloses pH-controlling devices that comprise a biodegradable polymer and a pH-controlling substance, particularly an alkaline, acidic or buffering agents. By way of example, such alkaline agents include calcium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. Methods of preparing such devices are also described. Methods for enhancing biocompatibility of an implantable device are also provided, as neutralizing alkaline materials are released at a rate that offsets changes in pH typically observed as polymers degrade to various acidic or alkaline by-products. By way of example, biodegradable polymers include PLA, PGA, polycaprolactone, copolymers thereof, or mixtures thereof. A new technique is disclosed to increase the surface porosity of porous implants which have a tendency to form relatively impermeable coverings. This technique entails the use of mechanical means to remove at least part of said covering, thus increasing the implant's surface porosity and permeability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a manicure container which enables a variety of paintings and drawings on fingernails or toenails by incorporating both a brush type painting applicator and a pen type drawing applicator in a same container.

Abstract: A fingernail stamper craft set comprising a base having five regions at five vertical different levels where the top surfaces of each region include one or more recesses. The first region at the lowest level includes recesses for receiving the fingers of a user having the nails to be decorated. The second region includes recesses for receiving nail enhancement accessories such as nail polish, cotton balls, emery boards and ink pads. The third and fourth regions include recesses for receiving stampers including stampers bearing letters of the alphabet and stampers bearing designs. The fifth or top region includes a recess for storing nail stickers. The nail stamper base may be engageable by another base from a nail enhancement set where the second base also has a number of recesses for accessories.

Abstract: A dental flosser having a pair of spaced apart arms across which a strand of dental floss is extended and a handle extending in a direction different from said the arms, the arms and handle being essentially a flat contiguous injection molded plastic board, the handle having an aperture through its central area bordered by a pair of legs which are bendable to converge toward each other, a pair of wings extending from both outside edges of these legs, each wing being bendable out of the plane of the board to extend transversely therefrom to provide a surface thicker than the original edge of the handle, each of the arms being an extension of one of the legs so that when the legs are pressed toward each other the corresponding arms are urged to diverge from each other, thus stretching and tensioning the strand of floss extending therebetween with the wings providing a comfortable surface against which the users' fingers are pressed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for securing and controlling dental floss while in the process of flossing one's teeth. The apparatus comprises a set of prostheses, one for each hand, to reside on a particular digit. Each finger prosthesis has a mechanical attachment point for dental floss. A section of dental floss has each end terminated on the mechanical attachment point. Each finger prosthesis is secured to the user by a mechanical device. The finger prosthesis comprises an adjustable member which extends the floss attachment point beyond the user's finger and or finger nail. The finger prosthesis distributes the mechanical loads encountered during flossing in a comfortable and painless manner over the user's extremities, thus promoting a positive experience and encouraging frequent flossing of one's teeth, all of which leads to better dental and overall health.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for direct delivery of enabling chemical gas from a liquid source and of HF gas in a hydrogen fluoride/enabling chemical based cleaning or etching process, such as a silicon dioxide film etching process. The liquid enabling chemical is temperature controlled to generate a vapor pressure which is sufficient to operate a mass flow controller at a desired processing pressure without a carrier gas. Prior to entering the process chamber, the enabling chemical gas is pre-mixed with HF and optionally, a carrier gas, all of which are supplied at flow rates independent of each other. By controlling the vapor pressure of the solvent in this way, solvent/HF/carrier mixtures which are not physically possible with carrier gas systems are attainable allowing access to a larger process space.

Abstract: A compact chain belt-type conveyor for conveying articles along a non-linear path through an industrial washer and drier. The chain belt-type conveyor provides an article sensing means wherein the sensing means is responsive to the presence of an article at a predetermined station along a predetermined non-linear path. A signalling means, responsive to the sensing means, signals a driving means to stop the conveyor when an article is present at the predetermined station for a predetermined amount of time and starts when an article is absent from the predetermined station. The signalling means ensures that each article will only be placed through one washing and drying cycle. An article holding means may be provided to secure the articles along the conveyor and provide proper orientation of the articles through the washing and drying process. A chain mesh construction conveyor may also be utilized to support and carry articles without the use of the article holding means.

Abstract: In a resin-made throttle body for controlling air flow rate in an air intake passage, orientation of resinous material of a wall of the throttle body surrounding the valve member has a step portion for controlling orientation of fiber-including resinous material. As a result, the inner periphery of the wall can expand or contract evenly as the valve member expands or contracts.