Abstract: In one example embodiment of the present invention, the user carries a backpack, which holds the cape inside, until the user requires the cold weather garment. To use the cold weather garment, the user removes the cape from the bag, places the user's feet in the bag and wraps the cape around the user's body. In other embodiments, the cape may be designed to wrap about the users body and at least a portion of the users legs.

Abstract: Provided is a garment adapted for wear by persons incapable of donning conventional clothing due to a bulky device attached or connected to their person or by a continuous connection to an external device. The garment comprises front and back panels applicable to said person's torso and sleeve panels applicable to said person's arm. The panels have opposing side and sleeve margins with fastening means distributed thereon for securing the garment under said person's arms and down the side of said person's torso by interconnecting the panels along opposing releasably fastened edge margins in the worn position of the garment, without the necessity of placing said person's head or arms through the clothing holes in normal dressing movements.

Abstract: A sock has a cuff with an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer folded over at least a portion of the inner fabric layer. A snap fastener is secured to the inner fabric layer. A slit or opening extends through the outer fabric layer to expose the snap fastener so that it can removably engage a complementary snap fastener on a second sock.

Abstract: A protective helmet including a basic shell having an outer surface, and a phosphorescent material. The basic shell is adapted to cover a portion of a wearer's head. The phosphorescent material radiates an illuminating light after the phosphorescent material is exposed to light.

Abstract: An absorbent cranial cap is disclosed. The cap comprises a lower liquid impervious backing layer and an upper, absorbent layer including superabsorbent material in an amount sufficient to absorb at least 100 ml of a 0.9% saline solution. The cap is useful in the funeral industry.

Abstract: A fit adjustment mechanism for the headband of a helmet including a bridge and a buckle. The bridge has ratchet teeth extending from the exterior surface. Each of the ratchet teeth has a tapered surface, a top land, and a retention surface with an undercut face beneath the top land. Substantially flat valleys are formed on the exterior surface between each of the ratchet teeth. The buckle includes a clasp that is resiliently and integrally formed on the exterior surface of the base. The clasp has a pawl having an engagement surface so formed to engage the undercut face of the ratchet teeth retention surfaces.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a fitting system for a helmet is provided. The fitting system includes a belt having supported racks coupled to a belt adjustment device. The belt adjustment device is operable to allow a user to tighten the belt, and release the belt at a single touch of a release actuator. The belt adjustment device and the racks are configured to hug the occiput of a user when the helmet is properly worn. The belt adjustment device is also operable to hold the rear straps of the helmet apart but is not attached to the helmet. The belt defines a collapsible button for securing a pad. The pad defines a substantially lateral compressed strip that is operable to urge the pad against the belt. The belt adjustment device and the belt are configured to allow rear straps of the helmet to approximately directly approach the chin of the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a protective garment system having two primary components. The first component, which serves as the outer layer of the garment, comprises a textile substrate that has been treated on one side with a hydrophobic composition and has been treated on the opposite side with an oleophobic composition. This combination is well-suited for protection against a variety of organic, oily type liquids (such as chemical warfare agents). The second component, which is a composite structure that serves as the inner layer of the garment, contains a core of activated carbon positioned between layers of adhesive and textile substrate.

Abstract: A urinal device for a hunter's tree stand includes a urinal bowl having a mounting bracket for securing the urinal bowl to the tree trunk, a lid pivotally mounted to the urinal bowl for allowing access to the urinal bowl, a drain connector extending from the bottom of the urinal bowl and in registration therewith, and a plurality of conduit sections of variable length interconnected to the drain connector and extending downwardly from the urinal bowl through the tree stand adjacent the tree trunk and terminating with one conduit section inserted into the ground thereby providing a continuous drainage system for discharging the urine into the ground so that the urine odor is contained within the drainage system and thus allowing the hunter to remain in the tree stand to urinate.

Abstract: The toilet assembly includes a toilet seat lid, a toilet seat, a toilet tank, a toilet bowl and a hinge assembly. The toilet seat lid is situated on top of the toilet seat. The toilet seat lid has a front peripheral lid portion and an end portion extended off of the front peripheral lid portion. The toilet seat has a front peripheral seat portion and an end portion extended normal to the front peripheral seat portion. The hinge assembly is affixed to the lid end portion, the seat end portion, and additionally to the front surface of the toilet tank. The seat end portion rises perpendicular to the front peripheral seat portion so that when the toilet seat lid is raised, the hinge assembly is covered, protecting it from exposure to urine.

Abstract: Users of the SANTI-HANDLE Toilet Seat Handle OR SANTI-HANDLE Toilet Seat enjoy a solution to health concerns arising from exposure to common restroom Contaminants such as urine, fecal matter, germs, bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. Businesses can replace existing toilet seats with the device, affording the restroom user a convenient means of avoiding contaminated seat surfaces. Consumer's who use the handle are afforded a convenient, economical manner to manipulate any toilet which is equipped with the Seat. The handle is unobtrusive, lightweight, affordable, and personal to the user. The user can easily clean, disinfect, or sterilize the handle between uses to reduce disease borne from contaminants.

Abstract: A protective cover for drains and other holes is provided which prevents spills and unwanted liquids from flowing therein. The protective cover includes a sheet of flexible, liquid impermeable material having top and bottom surfaces. A pliable, liquid impermeable material is attached to the bottom surface of the sheet around a peripheral edge of the sheet. The pliable, liquid impermeable material includes an exposed surface that is tacky so that it ahderes to a surface surrounding the drain or other hole to prevent the flow of liquid therebetween.

Abstract: A multi-stage flush apparatus includes a water conduit having upper and lower buoyed valves and corresponding valve openings and seats. The buoys on the valves are hollow and have openings in their lower ends. The water conduit has an upper end and an opposite lower end. The lower end is mounted into fluid communication with a water drainage aperture in the floor of a flush toilet tank. The water conduit has upper and lower valve seats on the corresponding upper and lower valve openings. A selectively adjustable stop is mounted over the lower valve seat to prevent the lower buoyed valve from rotating to a point where the air in the corresponding buoy would escape.

Abstract: A pool cover system for covering in-ground pools that have a step area which comprises a standard pool cover and a modular step cover system that are integrally attached. The modular step cover system includes a step area section which covers the step area of the pool and a flap section which extends below the pool cover and submerges into the pool. Where the step area section attaches to the flap section, there is an insert member for attaching the pool cover to the modular step cover system. Straps on the pool cover located in the area of the step cover system include strap extensions which are inserted into and through openings in the insert member of the step cover system. The straps extensions and straps of the pool cover are anchored to a deck area of the pool. A plurality of clips is used to secure the pool cover to the modular step cover system.

Abstract: A spraying head assembly for a massaging tub includes a motor, a housing, a cap, and a cover. Thus, the spraying head assembly is assembled easily and conveniently, thereby facilitating a user mounting the spraying head assembly. In addition, the spraying head assembly can be detached easily by manually rotating and removing the cover and the cap, thereby facilitating maintenance of the spraying head assembly.

Abstract: A co-sleeper convertibly adapted for use as a changing table, bassinet or play yard is described. The invention includes a first rigid enclosure that has four walls and a floor with the front wall capable of being positioned at an upper level equal to the remaining walls or at a second lower level. The first enclosure is capable of supporting a second enclosure within it that has four walls, a floor and can support a mattress. The co-sleeper is secured at one side of a parental bed with the co-sleeper mattress positioned a short distance below the level of the mattress of the parental bed. The front wall of the invention is placed in the second, lowered position for use as a co-sleeper or changing table and positioned at the upper level when the invention is used as a play yard or bassinet. The front wall has a fixed lower portion and a raisable upper portion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fabric connecting structure for playyard, particularly to one where the fabric joints are caught to the inner side edges of the upstanding legs, wherein a catch portion provided to inner edges of upstanding legs of the folding frame, and a catch member provided to corresponding corners of the fabric are able to engage each other such that the fabric may either be removably retained to the upstanding legs before or after completion of the assembly so as to improve convenience during assembly and application convenience. Furthermore, the four side panels may be provided at top edges thereof and the bottom at the lower edges thereof with removable fasteners such that after completing assembly of the folding frame, the fasteners may encase over and fasten to the top folding rails and bottom folding assembly.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for leveling the mattress used in trucks of the type including tractor trailers used in cross country trucking and also for travel trailers and recreational vehicles. The present invention discloses a support slab for placement under the mattress having one end of the support slab being elevated and thereby leveled by an inflatable cylindrical air chamber which air chamber is inflated by a small electric air pump which is operated off of the vehicle's power system. The air chamber would have a plurality of chambers wherein each chamber could be inflated to a variable pressure to allow further leveling of the mattress in the lateral directions.

Abstract: A hammock stand is described that can be assembled from a plurality of tubular members. The tubular members are of similar dimensions and to some extent interchangeable. This allows the stand, in disassembled form to be contained in a relatively small box for shipping and storage.

Abstract: A bed rail assembly includes a joint device connecting two top tubes, a pair of corner members mounted to free ends of the top tubes, two vertical tubes mounted to and depending from the corner members, and a pair of knuckle devices mounted to lower ends of the vertical tubes. Horizontal support tubes extend from the knuckle devices in a direction substantially normal to a plane defined by the top tubes and the vertical tubes. Extensions project from the knuckle devices to receive and fix support tube thereby forming a rectangular frame onto which a cover is attached to shield the frame. Each knuckle device includes a movable member movably connected to a base of the knuckle device to allow collapse of the bed rail. A Y-shaped belt and an L-shaped retention member are used to secure the bed rail assembly to a mattress.

Abstract: A blanket, comprising a main body including a cover and an insulating material contained within the cover, and at least one sleeve attached to a surface of the blanket, wherein a passage extends through the main body at an opening of the sleeve for enabling access into the sleeve through the blanket. The blanket further includes a drawstring attached to the main body, wherein the drawstring extends at least partially around a central portion of the main body. The blanket has a size to cover a person's body for warmth and comfort, the drawstring moves the adjustable blanket snugly closer around a person's body and the at least one sleeve retains warmth around an arm of the person when they reach through the blanket to pick up an object.

Abstract: An improved comfort system comprising blanket formed of first and second layers of material and including an external pocket centrally located along at least one peripheral edge thereof. The blanket may be easily converted into a pillow configuration by a folding method that transforms the blanket into a compact configuration and includes pulling the folded blanket through the pocket, in an inside out manner, such that the folded blanket is contained within the external pocket and the pocket opening. The comfort system is further provided with a conventional pillow sized for insertion within the pocket, and a detachable shoulder strap to facilitate carrying. The comfort system thus provides a compact and transportable pillow and blanket combination particularly suited for use by travelers, airline passengers, and persons on overnight trips.

Abstract: A tilt bed assembly, having a bed frame, a tilt bed installed in the bed frame, and at least a first linear motor for tilting the tilt bed along a desired direction with a desired degree. The bed frame has a horizontal base panel, a first vertical panel and a second vertical panel. The first and second vertical panels support the base panel and each of the first and second vertical boards is perforated with a hole. The tilt bed has a first vertical board, a second vertical board and a base board connecting to lower edges of the first and second vertical boards. The first vertical board has a first axle member extending from an exterior surface thereof. The first axle member extends through the hole of the first vertical panels. The second vertical board includes a second axle member extending from an exterior surface thereof. The second axle member is aligned with the first axle member, and the second axle member extends through the hole of the second vertical panels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sleeping device, such as a pillow, mattress or quilt, wherein the sleeping device is adapted to be used by a person during rest and comprises a first layer of a material having temperature regulating properties and a second layer of down filling. By using a material with temperature regulating properties together with a layer of down filling, very good properties of minimizing temperature variations are obtained.

Abstract: A composite pillow for preventing difference from occurring in level and a depression from being formed on a contact surface between divided core material parts, thereby preventing discomfort from being brought about to a user, capable of locating core material parts different in material or core material parts different in hardness at proper positions. The composite pillow is divided into a central part and a holding part for holding the central part by a face pair; each of the parts are arranged parallel so as to be in contact on a contact surface; the central part and the holding part differ in hardness or material; and right and left contact surfaces of the holding part contacting the central part and a contact surface of the central part corresponding the relevant contact surface are diagonally formed.

Abstract: The inflatable, pressure alleviating, eggcrate mattress pad is a mattress pad that is placed on top of a conventional mattress. The mattress pad has an eggcrate-shaped surface and separate air channels inflate and deflate alternating air cells at different intervals and pressure levels. The air cells are alternately inflated or deflated in a checkerboard pattern so that as one air cell point is inflated, the adjoining air cell point is deflated. The mattress pad is also equipped with two inflatable wedges on the underside of the mattress pad. One wedge is on each side of the centerline of the mattress pad. When either of the wedges is inflated it will tip one side of the mattress upwards to assist turning over an immobilized patient.

Abstract: A mattress and temperature control system for preventing pressure ulcers is provided. The mattress and temperature control system may include at least two chambers that may be alternately pressurized to each independently support a patient's body reclined on the mattress at different times. In some embodiments, the chambers may be implemented as an inflatable tubing system including at least two inflatable tubing circuits each having inflatable tubes disposed adjacent one another in an alternating manner. The tubes may be inflated with liquid or gas fluids. The system may include a tube pressurizing control device for controlling the inflation of the at least two inflatable tubing circuits in an alternating manner. A gas permeable membrane may encapsulate the inflatable tubing system and may be used to move air between the patient and the mattress for cooling and to remove any moisture.

Abstract: A compressing and binding device for a spring mattress includes a compression chamber in which a spring mattress is housed, a compression board member compressing the spring mattress in a parallel direction with a bed surface thereof to form a compressed article, and a binding device for binding the compressed article with string.

Abstract: The Face-Saver Sun Cot emerges with its improvements over previous lounging concepts to offer the end user enhanced comfort, even tanning, and increased usability while lounging. The Face-Saver Sun Cot is a specialty lounging chair for sunbathers with a built-in face hole in the backrest of the chair to accommodate a users face while lying in the face down position with a detachable hole cover to place over the face hole when the user is lying in a face-up position. The Face-Saver idea itself can be implemented and incorporated into various lounging products developed today by manufacturers. The face-hole, being part of the backrest, gives the user a more comfortable experience and improved spinal alignment while lying on their stomach with their face in the hole cavity. The detachable hole cover is built as part of the lounging frame.

Abstract: A mattress with a light-transmissive cover directed at preventing the hiding of contraband in institutional facilities. The mattress has a solid or partially solid core and a light-transmissive cover that envelops the core. A light-transmissive reinforcement section may be provided in the cover. When provided as a mattress for an inmate in a confinement area, the mattress permits visual inspection for contraband hidden in the mattress by looking through the light-transmissive cover of the mattress.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the use of ethercarboxylates for lubricating textile fibres, preferably spinning fibres. These ethercarboxylates have the general formula (I) R—(OCH2CH2)n—O—CH2COOX??(I) where: R represents a C6-C22 aliphatic hydrocarbon chain, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, n is a number between 0.3 and 50, X is hydrogen, an alkali metal, an ammonium cation, an alkanolammonium cation or a C6-C22 alkylammonium cation. In addition, the present invention provides a process for lubricating textile fibres that consist of placing in contact these textile fibres with ethercarboxylates of general formula (I).

Abstract: A washing machine which deodorizes an object placed in the washing machine using functional water independently of a washing process, and a control method thereof. The washing machine includes a tub to contain wash water therein, a drum rotatably installed in the tub, and deodorizing means which includes a functional water producing unit to produce functional water having a deodorizing effect, a heating tank to receive and to heat the functional water, and a steam supply pipe to supplying steam obtained from the functional water heated by the heating tank, to an object placed in the drum to be deodorized.

Abstract: A washing machine, which removes offensive odor from laundry without a need to operate wash, rinse and/or dehydration modes, and a method of deodorizing laundry. The washing machine includes a deodorizing tub, into which objects to be deodorized are placed, a duct to communicate with the deodorizing tub and to serve as a passage through which air containing odor particles, which are separated from the objects in the deodorizing tub, passes, and a deodorizing agent spray device to spray a deodorizing agent to separate the odor particles from the air passing through the duct. The method of deodorizing includes the separating odor particles from objects to be deodorized, and removing the separated odor particles by dissolving the separated odor particles in water and then discharging the particles.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for depositing additives into a yarn having multi-filaments comprising steps of; separating the multi-filaments of the yarn into individual filaments while winding the yarn; injecting the additive onto the individual filaments; and promoting the individual filaments of the yarn to close up one against the other whereby the additive are entrapped within the multi-filaments. The invention also concerns an apparatus for depositing microcapsules into a multi-filaments of a yarn and the multifilament yarn produced.

Abstract: An agent for dyeing keratin-containing fibers, in particular, human hair, to give the fibers fashionable bright colors. The agent comprises A) an oxidizing agent, B) a CH-acidic compound and C) a reactive carbonyl compound. The invention also includes a process for dyeing keratin-containing fibers with the agent.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant tension member, particularly an inclined cable of a cable stayed bridge, is comprised of a bundle of individual elements, for example, steel wire strands, which in the open area is encapsulated by sheathing, and which in the area of a rerouting point, for example, at the pylon of a cable-stayed bridge, extends inside a saddle pipe in a canal having the shape of a circular arc. In order to avoid impairments at the ends of the saddle pipe when sheathing is connected to the structure, the saddle pipe is extended in the shape of a circular arc beyond a tangential exit of the bundle by a length L so that the bundle is exposed at an end of the saddle pipe without any risk of abutting.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant tension member, particularly an inclined cable of a cable stayed bridge, is comprised of a bundle of individual elements, for example, steel wire strands, which in its open area is encapsulated by sheathing, and which within the structure extends inside a guide canal that is formed by a recess pipe. The sheathing—sealing off the front side of the guide canal—is thereby directly or indirectly connected to the structure. Between the sheathing and the entrance point of the tension member into the structure, a connecting pipe is arranged, which on the one hand is detachably connected to the sheathing and on the other hand is connected to the structure by a flange plate.

Abstract: An expansion joint system for roadway constructions is provided incorporating dampers that are designed to protect the roadway constructions from the effects of disturbances caused by seismic events and vehicular traffic by absorbing and dissipating mechanical vibration energy.

Abstract: A system and method for inserting pre-cast concrete pile caps under wooden railroad bridges without removing essential load bearing rails, cross-ties, and stringers is disclosed. The system and method minimizes the time that the track is closed to normal rail traffic. The system and method uses recycled oil well drill pipes that are cast into pile caps so that female-threaded ends are flushed with an upper surface of the pile caps. Lifting rods have male threaded ends that are used with a multi-point lifting device that allows the pile cap to be slipped under the existing bridge in a number of small incremental steps utilizing the spaces between wooden bridge stringers.

Abstract: A method and a device for cleaning the bottom and sides of a swimming pool having a housing with front and rear ends and opposite sides, a pair of motor driven cylindrical brushes rotatably secured to the front and rear ends of the housing, a suction pump disposed within the housing, and a floatation element disposed within the housing and secured to one side of the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wiper lever (10) with a driven wiper arm (12) and a wiper blade (16) linked to it to clean windows, in particular of motor vehicles, which is provided with a band-like, long-stretched-out, elastic supporting element (30) that is curved over its band surfaces, which features a long-stretched-out, rubber elastic wiper strip (24) on its concave curved band surface (31), on whose upper, convex curved band surface (29), in particular in the longitudinal mid-range of the supporting element, a coupling part (32) sits to connect the wiper blade (16) to the wiper arm (12) and wind deflector strip sections (52) extending towards the ends of the supporting element are arranged in particular on both sides of the coupling part and a cap (60) to cover the connecting area between the wiper blade and the wiper arm belongs to the wiper lever, which cap can be locked on the supporting element (30) of the wiper blade and is provided with elastically deflectable locking means (74).

Abstract: A device for cleaning golf balls and golf club heads, said device able to be releasably attached to a golf cart or worn or carried by a person playing golf. The device includes a generally rectangular sack having first and second opposed shorter edges and first and second opposed longer edges, the sack further comprised of first and second flexible panels joined along the outer edges thereof and enclosing an interior compartment located proximate to a shorter second edge thereof. An opening with fastener is located on the first panel over the interior compartment. A liquid impervious container is located within the interior compartment and includes an opening with surrounding fastener on a middle wall thereof. The opening of the container is co-aligned with the opening of the first panel. A flexible absorbent panel and flexible mesh panel are stored within the container, the flexible mash panel folded inside the absorbent panel.

Abstract: A new and useful digital wipe structure, and method for handling the wipe structure, are provided that is particularly useful in forming and handling a an oral wipe to clean teeth and gums, especially a young child's teeth and gums. A digital wipe structure comprises a piece of material impregnated with an oral therapeutic solution, and configured to be wrapped completely about a user's index finger to provide a sleeve about the user's index finger. The wipe structure is further configured so that when wrapped about a user's index finger an outer portion of the sleeve is oriented so that pressure from the user's thumb will hold stabilize the sleeve and maintain the sleeve on the user's index finger, preferably against the middle or distal phalanx.

Abstract: A wringer is used to wring liquid from a substantially flat mop pad. The wringer includes a frame configured to hold a bucket at a bucket location and providing first and fourth pivot locations. An imaginary straight line is formed between the first and fourth pivot locations. The wringer also includes a foot pedal member that is configured to be actuated by a user's foot, The foot pedal member is connected to pivot about the first pivot location on the frame, and extends to a second pivot location. The foot pedal member has a foot engaging region located on a first side of the imaginary line. The second pivot location is located on a second side of the imaginary line. The wringer also includes a presser member configured to press a flat mop pad, the presser member being connected to pivot about the fourth pivot location on the frame. The presser member includes a presser pad configured to press liquid from a flat mop pad and being located on the first side of the imaginary line.

Abstract: A complex type cleaner comprises: a body; a suction head arranged at a lower side of the body, for sucking dust at the time of performing a vacuum cleaning and sucking dirty water at the time of performing a water cleaning; a suction fan for generating a suction force so that dust and dirty water can be sucked into the suction head; a reservoir detachably mounted at the body and storing dust or dirty water; and a valve assembly for converting a cleaning mode into a vacuum cleaning mode or a water cleaning mode by selectively opening and closing passages connected among the suction head, the reservoir, and the suction fan. A vacuum cleaning function for sucking dust and a water cleaning function are implemented at one cleaner, thereby reducing the cost and facilitating the usage and the storage.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner is provided having improved pressure loss characteristics. A fluid supply conduit in flow communication with an inlet to a cyclone is integrally formed as part of a cyclone bin. The present invention may be adapted for use with cyclonic separation devices of all types, including single- and multi-stage cyclonic separators.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for moving a wiping/raising insert of a suction nozzle for a vacuum cleaner is described. The suction nozzle comprises a base plate. The mechanism for moving the insert comprises an operating pedal and a frame for supporting the insert and for bringing this insert from a first working position into a second rest position. The pedal is rotatable about a first axis of rotation and the frame is rotatable about a second axis of rotation. According to the invention, the first and the second axis of rotation lie in a plane inclined at an angle a ranging between 80° and 100° with respect to a plane of the base plate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for determining a frequency of a power brush in a vacuum cleaner. According to the method of the present invention, a mechanical oscillation frequency of a driving unit, which includes a brush body reciprocated within a range of prescribed angles, and a torsion bar for providing a prescribed elastic force to angular rotation of the brush body, is set equally to a driving frequency of a power supply unit, which drives the driving unit, or is set a prescribed percentage higher or lower than the driving frequency of the power supply unit, so that the driving unit can resonate. A large amount of movement is obtained using a small amount of power by means of the resonance.

Abstract: A vacuum head assembly is disclosed which includes a vacuum head detachably connected to a secondary head, which is designed to carry an electrostatic cloth. The secondary head assumes a horizontal position behind the vacuum head so that the scoop of the vacuum head moves across the surface to be cleaned first followed by the secondary head, equipped with the electrostatic cloth. The cloth thus engages the floor after the scoop of the vacuum head. The secondary head carrying the electrostatic cloth may be easily connected to and disconnected from the vacuum head thereby rendering the vacuum head suitable for both hard and soft (i.e., carpeted) surfaces.

Abstract: A suction nozzle (otherwise called “brush”) for sucking up dust and/or fluids and/or waste from a surface is described. The suction nozzle comprises a base plate with at least one channel open towards said surface, a suction duct in fluid communication with the at least one channel of the base plate and a body associated with said base plate. According to the invention, the suction duct is produced as a component separate from the plate and the body. Connection means are also provided for connecting the suction duct to the body and/or to the base plate. Owing to the present invention, more efficient suction ducts which produce less noise than the known ducts may be produced.