Abstract: The present invention comprises a thumb guard and method of protecting tissues of the thumb and hand from injury. A preferred thumb guard according to the present invention comprises a tubular tapered body made from a strap of flexible, resilient material in which the end segments are interconnected and oppositely inclined so that the guard will fit complementally over the user's thumb. The guard is configured so that when placed on a user's thumb, portions of the guard cover the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb to protect the thumb from stress and injury when the user holds a paint bucket with the thumb hooked under the bail of the bucket.

Abstract: The present invention provides a line of clothing, such as, but not limited to, shirts, blouses, pants, shorts, or the like having at least one through-hole on the exterior surface of the garment. This will provide a final product which is designed and configured to adequately and efficiently receive and hold a plurality of items, including sunglasses, eyeglasses, pens and pencils and the like for ready access by the wearer. The interior of the garment is comprised of at least one additional piece of fabric in cooperation with the through-hole to receive and hold sunglasses, pens and the like. The piece of fabric can be permanently or removably secured to the article of clothing in various embodiments.

Abstract: A sleeper with an integral sock foot sewn directly to the sleeper instead of a traditional fabric constructed sock. The sock is made of stretchable material and is sized and shaped to contract into a snug and tight manner around the child's foot rather than loosely surrounding the foot, as it is the case with conventional footed sleeper.

Abstract: A versatile upper body multi-mode garment is configured to provide a variety of modes of wear with respect to hand coverings and head covering. A coat, jacket, shirt or vest has an integral hood which covers the wearer's head. Within the hood is an integral face shield which may be swung behind the wearer's head or neck when not covering the face, enabling protection of various portions of the face. The hood may be tightened to expose a variable extent of the head or face. Versatile multi-mode mitten portions attached to the garment or mittens provided separately enhance a variety of modes of wear which are achieved without removing the mittens or any portion thereof. The wearing modes include full exposure of a hand, exposure of the thumb and the four fingers, exposure of the four finger tips, full hand coverage, and full hand coverage by an integral glove.

Abstract: A glove having a heat insulating barrier is disclosed. The heat insulating barrier is removably inserted into a zippered pocket or a weblike pouch, the pocket or pouch being positioned proximate the back of a user's hand. The heat insulating barrier acts to selectively reduce heat conduction from the back side of the hand, thereby allowing the user's hand or hands to remain warm in cold environments. The ability to stack a varying number of heat insulating layers in the pouch or pocket further allows the user to selectively control the warmth of the hand as the ambient temperature fluctuates during use.

Abstract: A harness for use in windsurfing which includes an adjustable wrist strap for securing the harness to the wrist of the wearer, a grip support which includes a rigid support structure which is curved for comfort and for securing the grip of a generally round or oval boom, and the grip support further including an adjustable finger securer. The rigid support structure is further curved for providing easy release of the boom, when necessary, by the lifting of the fingers being secured by the finger securer. The adjustable finger securer allows the wearer to extend the fingers being secured for resting the wearer's hands while still being in control of the boom. The harness transfers some or all of the force required to keep the boom engaged to the wears wrist, thereby enabling the wearer to participate in the sport for a longer period of time.

Abstract: A palm face of a soccer goalkeeper glove is provided with a strand mesh secured at wrist and fingertip regions to strengthen back bending resistance of the thumb and fingers of the glove. The mesh can extend across spaces between the thumb and fingers of the glove, and can extend over fingertip regions of the glove to be bonded to back sides of the fingertip regions. The strand mesh can have screen or other configurations, and can be formed in a continuous laminate extending over the palm face of the glove. The goal is to reduce injuries from back bending of a goalkeeper's fingers from impact by soccer balls traveling at high velocities.

Abstract: A leg guard having an instep portion to protect an instep of foot, a shin portion to protect a shin, a knee portion to protect a knee, and a sub-knee portion to protect an upper part of the knee. The leg guard is provided with a pad portion having a cover composed of thermoplastic elastomer, and the cover of the pad portion has plural convex portions protruding from the surface of the cover.

Abstract: A toilet seat lid raising and lowering device relies on a motion sensor to trigger its operation. A housing containing the sensor, a motor and a spool is removably attached to a toilet tank. Upon detecting a user approaching the toilet area, the sensor sends an activation signal to the motor causing the motor to rotate the spool. A line is attached to the spool at one end and to the seat lid at a second end such that the rotation of the spool causes the line to raise the seat lid to an open position slightly angled from the tank. Once a user exits the toilet area, the motor returns to a neutral position allowing the spool to rotate in an opposite direction thereby lowering the seat lid by means of gravity. Resistance between the motor and spool prevent the seat lid from “crashing” to a closed position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to plumbing for toilet tanks, and more specifically provides an alarm system for indicating a failure mode in a toilet tank's operation. One preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes a floating magnet and sensors positioned near the top and bottom of the tank which activate an alarm when the magnet becomes sufficiently close to either sensor. The alarm can be audible or visual. In other preferred embodiments, the alarm closes the tank inlet valve or the tank exit valve to control normal operations, or to correct malfunctions.

Abstract: A sanitary system including a toilet adapted for use in a recreational vehicle, and a recreational vehicle including the toilet and sanitary system.

Abstract: A hot tub or spa (100) has a vanishing or overflow edge (110) not readily visible to a user. Water from the main holding area (101) overflows the edge (110) into a catch basin (102). A reservoir (120) holds a constant head of water to provide to a pump (112) and also allows for the holding of increased amounts of water displaced by users who are using the hot tub (100). Water flowing over the vanishing edge (110) flows into the catch basin (102) and thence to the reservoir (120) and pump (112) where the water is recirculated into the spa (100).

Abstract: An aerated bath 26 is disclosed comprising a plurality of receptacles 10 on the outside of the bath, each receptacle being in communication with the interior of the bath through one or a plurality of openings 16, and fluid supply means 20 connected to some or all of the receptacles characterised in that the receptacles are shallow and of a relatively smooth internal configuration. Preferably, the internal configuration of the receptacles is a part spherical dish. The smooth internal surface reduces locations where moisture can be trapped. Preferably also, the receptacle is made from a material, especially a plastics material, which is hydrophobic which therefore resists wetting by bath water. The plastics material is preferably easily machinable, and tough and durable, and may be selected from known plastics materials of this type such as nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, and the like.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a kitchen sink to a counter top provides a sink rim with a substantially horizontally extending bent back wall. A clip assembly for use therewith has a bracket with a grip region defining a horizontal gap sized to fit snugly around an edge of the horizontal wall. The bracket defines a pair of vertical tracks in which vertical extensions of a clamp member can slide. The L-shaped clamp has a generally horizontal hook that can engage the underside of the counter top so as to clamp the sink to the counter top by tightening a threaded fastener.

Abstract: A foldable playyard includes a first surrounding frame, a second surrounding frame, a boundary shelter including a plurality of boundary walls mounted between the first and second surrounding frames to define a playyard cavity within the boundary walls, and a supporting frame, which is surrounded by the boundary shelter, including a plurality of supporting arms, in such a manner that each of the supporting arms is capable of moving between a folded position and an unfolded position. In the folded position, the first surrounding frame is adapted to fold towards the second surrounding frame so as to minimize a depth of the playyard cavity, and in the unfolded position, each of the supporting arms is arranged to substantially support between the first and second surrounding frames and to tensely stretch the boundary shelter, so as to form a tension surface on each of the boundary walls.

Abstract: A crib safety sheet/blanket with a fitted sheet portion having a front surface and a back surface two opposing ends defining pockets for snugly fitting the sheet to a mattress. A blanket is sewn along its midline to the center of the fitted sheet, defining two blanket halves. Mating strips of hook and loop fastening material are attached to the two halves of the blanket, so that an infant may be placed on the blanket with the two halves of the blanket wrapped around the infant and fastened to retain the infant in a supine position. A plurality of elastic straps may extend across the bottom of the fitted sheet and be removably secured to the side of the sheet with mating strips of hook and loop fastening material to retain the sheet on the mattress.

Abstract: A crib safety sheet/blanket with a sheet portion having a front surface and a back surface two opposing ends defining pockets for snugly fitting the sheet to a mattress. A blanket is sewn along its midline to the center of the fitted sheet, defining two blanket halves. Mating strips of hook and loop fastening material are attached to the two halves of the blanket, so that an infant may be placed on the blanket with the two halves of the blanket wrapped around the infant and fastened to retain the infant in a supine position. A plurality of elastic straps may extend across the bottom of the fitted sheet and be removably secured to the side of the sheet with mating strips of hook and loop fastening material to retain the sheet on the mattress.

Abstract: The patient positioning device of this invention relates to an apparatus used to assist a patient into a supine position and additionally through which traction is applied to the spine, such as physical therapy and chiropractic treatment. The patient positioning device is preferably a stand alone portable device that can be readily transported and adapted to almost any horizontal surface, such as a treatment table. A primary application of the leg support of this invention is in raising and supporting a patient's lower legs during before, during, and after traction is applied to a patient. The device includes a lower support frame, vertical supports, and a leg support coupled to a top frame. The patient positioning device may also have a motor which powers the leg support to rotate from a lowered position, in which a patient's lower legs rest on the leg support, to an elevated position in which a patient's lower legs are elevated.

Abstract: The Pacifier Keeper is a small piece of pliable material, approximately the size of an outlet, which has three circular indentions in it. Those indentions are going to hold or store pacifiers for infants or toddlers. The hard circular “handle” of the pacifiers will be placed in the indentions so that the nipple is facing out. A small lip of the same pliable material will hold the pacifiers in the Pacifier Keeper until they are removed. The Pacifier Keeper will attach to a crib or any other area around the house to allow independent access to pacifiers.

Abstract: A pipe fitting tool is configured to aid a user in performing tasks frequently encountered by a pipe fitter or similar tradesman. The tool includes adjustable pliers, such as arc joint adjustable pliers, with a cutting portion for cutting and optionally stripping wire, and an impact surface for performing minor adjustments to hardware, such as adjusting the position of an object. One handle of the tool includes a prying/wedging portion and another handle of the tool includes a drive bit receiver. Molded hand grips may be provided on the handles and may include one or more receptacles for storing drive bits when not in use.

Abstract: A chemically modified nonwoven textile article and method for producing the same is provided that exhibits pilling resistance, soil release, strength, and abrasion resistance properties, thus rendering the article less prone to the formation of objectionable pill balls, staining, or loss of strength, thereby increasing wearer comfort and retaining the desired appearance of the article, and thereby extending the useful life of the article. A composition of matter for chemically modifying a nonwoven textile article to achieve pilling resistance, soil release, strength, and abrasion resistance is also provided.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the present process involves subjecting a fabric comprised of conjugate yarns to an acidic treatment, which degrades a portion of one component of the conjugate yarns and to dyeing. The acid treatment, given certain reaction kinetics, removes a portion of the polyamide element of the conjugate filament. The at least partial removal of the polyamide component results in a fabric has enhanced dyed appearance, especially when dyed a dark shade. In an alternate embodiment, the fabric may also be treated with a basic solution to improve its moisture transport properties.

Abstract: The application provides a method of treating fibrous textile goods comprising treating the fibrous textile goods with an enzyme. This enzyme can be used to covalently link one or more active functional compounds to the fibres and/or to trap one or more acitve functional compound within an inter-fibre matrix and/or within an intra-fibre matrix formed by the action of the enzyme. Preferably, the enzyme is a traglutaminase, especially a calcium-dependent transglutaminase. The enzyme may be used to add primary-amine containing active agents to the textile goods and also for the addition of proteins or peptides that have functional groups linked to them.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of treating fabrics with a liquid bleaching composition comprising at least 3% of a peroxygen bleach and a dye maintenance agent, wherein said process comprises the steps of contacting said fabrics with said liquid composition in its neat or diluted form and washing said fabrics with an aqueous bath comprising water and a conventional laundry detergent, preferably comprising at least one surface active agent, before and/or during and/or after the step of contacting said fabrics with said liquid composition.

Abstract: An approved washing machine and method of washing laundry is provided wherein a user can select an amount of an additive, such as detergent, to be automatically supplied from a bulk additive reservoir to the washing machine tub during the appropriate time in the wash cycle. The selected amount of additive corresponds to the amount of payment deposited by the user in the machine. The payment may be made by coin, currency, or debit card.

Abstract: A method of controlling a washing machine is provided. The washing machine control method executes a washing process with a wobbling device. In the method, an operation of causing a washboard to wobble and an operation of rotating a spin-drying tub in the washing process are alternately performed. An operation of causing a washboard to wobble in a wobbling position and an operation of rotating a spin-drying tub in a washing process several times to mix laundry is performed, such that upper laundry and lower laundry can be uniformly washed, thus improving a laundry cleaning performance. Further, entangled laundry can be prevented from being rinsed by causing the washboard to wobble in the wobbling position before rinsing water is supplied.

Abstract: A method of controlling a washing machine having a wobbling device. The wobbling device is switched to a leveling position to operate a spin-drying tub and a washboard and to a wobbling position to operate the washboard. The control method of the washing machine includes the steps of detecting the load of laundry, supplying water through a plurality of stages if the detected load of laundry is lighter than a predetermined reference load, and operating a pulsator in each of the stages through which water is supplied.

Abstract: A laundry appliance can be selectively operated in either manual or automatic modes of operation. In the automatic mode, a laundering operation is initiated upon receiving a single cycle input parameter from the user, preferably through a LCD touch screen display, while relying on additional operating cycle parameters established by factory preset settings or prior consumer established preferences. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a consumer need merely select a single cycle parameter, such as a type of stain adapted to be removed, and the appliance will start based on temperature and other setting parameters taken from memory. However, even with the automatic start feature activated, the user will still be able to adjust pre-established cycle parameters by changing default values after the cycle has started.

Abstract: A method for permanently dyeing hair which comprises subjecting said hair to a number of treatments, having a set time interval between each two consecutive such treatments, wherein each treatment comprises steps a.) and b.

Abstract: A method for treating hair which comprises:

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for dyeing keratin fibres, and in particular human keratin fibres such as the hair, containing, in a support that is suitable for dyeing, at least one oxidation dye precursor, characterized in that it comprises at least one alcohol oxidase enzyme and at least one substrate for the said enzyme. This patent application also relates to a process for dyeing keratin fibres, which consists in applying this composition, and also to a dyeing “kit”.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing synthetic hair fiber comprising halogen-containing synthetic fiber, in which synthetic hair fiber can be evenly dyed at a low temperature in a short period, maintaining excellent fastness, without abnormal shrinking (frizzing) and embrittlement of the fiber due to swelling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sulfur dye protection systems and compositions and methods employing same, as well as processes for making sulfur dyes, especially bleach stable sulfur dyes, processes for dying textiles with sulfur dyes and textiles dyed by such processes. More particularly, the present invention relates to modifying existing dyes and/or making newly formed sulfur dyes. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to materials that can chemically or physically interact with sulfur dyes to protect the sulfur dyes from oxidation by oxidizing agents, such as bleaching agents.

Abstract: A battery powered floor maintenance machine is alignable with a battery docking station that can slidably receive a spent battery assembly from the floor maintenance machine. The floor maintenance machine includes locking and aligning mechanisms to safely attach the machine to the docking station. Once attached, the battery assembly is slid onto the docking station for recharge. The floor machine can be removed from the docking station and attached to a second charging station with a fully charged battery assembly thereon. The battery assembly can be slid from the second charging station to the floor maintenance machine, allowing the machine to be returned to service.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electric toothbrush having a handpiece, a bristle holder which is arranged on a head portion of the handpiece and is rotatable about an axis of rotation of the bristle holder, and a drive mechanism for the bristle holder, wherein the drive mechanism includes a motor which is arranged on the handpiece, and a transmission member which transfers a driving motion from the motor to the bristle holder. According to the invention, a drive rocker is provided as transmission member, and is arranged to rock in multiple axes and is driven by the motor such that it approximately traverses a double conical path. The connection between the drive rocker and the bristle holder is realised in jointed manner about an articulated axis that is parallel to the bristle holder's axis of rotation.

Abstract: A brush head for a motor-driven toothbrush includes a multitude of bristles and a plate shaped bristle support to which the bristles are attached. The brush head is connectable to a motor-driven toothbrush for oscillatory rotation and translation. The bristle support is divided into several bristle support segments that are movable relative to each other. In particular, diametrically opposed bristle segments are tiltable on a shared tilt axis or on separate tilt axes arranged in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the brush head.

Abstract: A pull tab is formed at a separable edge of each of a plurality of individually separable sheets of outwardly faced adhesive tape wound into a roll by a non-adhesive portion carried on the adhesive layer of the tape to facilitate gripping and removal of an outermost sheet from the tape roll to expose an underlying sheet. The separable edges extend at least partially through the tape roll dividing the tape into a plurality of separable sheets.

Abstract: A washerless dishwasher basket wheel assembly that uses a countersunk sprocket opening in the sprocket of the wheel through which a shoulder screw having raised retaining nibs formed thereon is retaining connected there. The nibs extend radially outwardly of the opening of the sprocket to retain the screw connection to the wheel and, normally, to prevent its removal therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simple magnetic hinge using a magnet placed in a moveable object to attract a metal piece disposed in a fixed object on the other side; both of the objects are assembled into an unit by a rivet; when the external force exerted on the movable object is greater than the magnetic force of the magnet for attracting the metal piece, these two objects are separated to hinge or move; when the external force exerted on the movable object disappears, these two objects stay at their original positions, tightly joint together and can't be separated.

Abstract: A device is provided for separating out foreign particles and/or neps in a pre-carding zone and/or a post-carding zone of a carding machine having a carding cylinder. The device has at least two modules arranged opposite the carding cylinder in the pre-carding zone and/or the post-carding zone. Each module has a plurality of operating elements, the elements being arranged beside one another as seen in a circumferential direction of the cylinder. The operating elements are fixed carding elements, suctioning devices, and/or separating knives.

Abstract: A retaining arrangement (10) retains a key holder (20) of a type comprising a tag (24) suspended from a ring (22) with the ring (22) also holding at least one key (26). The retaining arrangement (10) includes a panel (12). A plurality of slots (14) is defined by the panel (12). Each slot (14) is shaped and dimensioned to receive the tag (24) of the key holder (20) through it such that the key (26) of the key holder (20) lies on one side of the panel (12) and the tag (24) lies on an opposed, operatively outer side of the panel (12).

Abstract: A latchable tie including a flexible strap with an elongated section having spaced apart first teeth, a head end, a tail end, an upper surface and a lower surface; and a head defining an outer end portion, an inner end portion joined to the strap, an outer opening in the outer end portion, an inner opening in the inner end portion, a channel extending between the outer opening and the inner opening and adapted to receive the tail end of the strap, a latch mechanism disposed in the channel and defining upwardly projecting longitudinally spaced apart second teeth for engaging the first teeth.

Abstract: A hinge pin connector (20) is provided. The hinge pin connector includes a first load bearing component (32) having a perimeter and a second load bearing component (36) disposed around the first load bearing component. The hinge pin connector also includes a first boundary layer (34) disposed between the first and second bearing components to substantially surround the perimeter of the first load bearing component.

Abstract: In accordance with the present application, a cuff link comprises any mobile two-piece button, of metal or any other solid material, which is used to secure the cuffs of a shirt or other item of clothing together, by means of a magnetized connection.

Abstract: A binding nail device includes a head having an upward extended peripheral fence, and two legs each having a bent portion secured to the peripheral flange of the head and bent toward each other for allowing the legs to be contacted with each other. A cap includes an outer peripheral portion having an upward extended peripheral wall for forming a chamber and for receiving the head. The peripheral wall includes an upper peripheral flange folded to engage with and to secure onto the peripheral flange of the head and for protecting the cap from being rusted.

Abstract: A slider for a slide fastener is constituted by three members including a body, a pull tab and a cover for pull tab attachment, a concave fitting groove capable of accommodating the lower end face of the cover is provided on the upper surface of the body, a welding projection to be protruded outward is provided in a part of the surface of the lower end face of the cover or a part of the bottom face of the fitting groove, and the welding projection is welded integrally by ultrasonic processing in a state in which the body formed of a resin and the cover are caused to come in contact with each other by pressure such that a fused resin does not overflow from the fitting groove to an external surface, resulting in the fabrication of a slider which can prevent a fused and solidified lump from being formed and can make a good appearance.

Abstract: A roll clip is generally C-shaped made of a flexible material which allows the clip to snap over and hold a roll of paper or other material. In one embodiment, the clip includes feet at the open ends of the clip for resting on a surface such that the roll can be held in a partially unrolled fashion for studying the contents of blueprints or measuring and cutting of wallpaper or wrapping paper. In a preferred embodiment, the feet are rounded to facilitate snapping the clip over a paper roll.

Abstract: An apparatus for treatment of fabric, and including a fabric supply for supplying a length of dry fabric. A plurality of rolls having fabric-altering surface elements thereon is positioned in an upstream-to-downstream flow path for receiving the length of fabric across the surface elements thereof from an upstream fabric supply assembly to a downstream fabric take-up assembly. At least some of the plurality of rolls have drive means for positively rotating the rolls. The take-up assembly pulls the length of dry fabric off of the fabric supply assembly and through the flow path against the surface elements of the plurality of rolls in only a single pass and onto the take-up assembly.

Abstract: A novel system and method for the containment of cremated remains using a personalized sculpture made in the likeness of a decedent thereby fulfilling the function of a cremation Urn.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of forming a fabric 1 on the surface of a mandrel 10, infiltrating the formed fabric with matrix, and leaving portions 12a, 12b of the mandrel as integral with the fabric and removing the mandrel before the fabric adheres to the mandrel by matrix infiltration. Subsequently, a remaining portion of the mandrel is used as a reference surface and machining is performed. Without possibility of adhesion to the mandrel and resulting breakage, machining bases (axial center and reference surface) during machining can accurately be provided, and this can largely enhance machining precision and yield of a final product.