Abstract: A new and distinct Hosta plant named ‘Eskimo Pie’, characterized by rounded leaves having wide blue-green margins, and a creamy yellow to creamy white center and near white flowers held just above the foliage on thick light green-colored scapes.

Abstract: A new and distinct grape plant (Vitis vinifera L. species), ‘RS-3’, which is useful as a rootstock, is distinguished by providing broad resistance to nematodes.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Argyranthemum plant named ‘Supa594’, characterized by its compact, upright and mounded plant habit; freely branching habit, dense and bushy plants; freely flowering habit with numerous inflorescences per plant; decorative-type inflorescence form with white-colored ray florets.

Abstract: An interspecific hybrid of Cornus kousa×C. nuttallii exhibits the vigorous nature and the floral display of large, white bracts of plants of C. nuttallii and the dark, glossy green foliage and disease and insect resistance of plants of C. kousa. The hybrid thus provides a new, unique, and superior large-bracted dogwood for landscaping purposes. Plants of C. nuttallii become very large in nature in areas where they are indigenous but seldom thrive in other areas. Plants of this novel hybrid are expected to thrive in many regions of the world where plants of C. kousa perform well.

Abstract: The present variety of mushroom plant named ‘Hokuto Shiro Ichigoukin’ was produced by crossbreeding mutant fungal strains of two parent varieties, a + variety ‘Hokuto Hachigoukin’ and a ? variety ‘Hokuto Jyunigoukin,’ after UV irradiation. This edible mushroom is not bitter, and can be cultivated anywhere a cultivation facility can be arranged.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Lobelia plant named ‘Weslowhite’, characterized by its cascading plant habit; freely branching habit with short internodes; dense and bushy plant form; continuously and freely flowering habit; densely pubescent leaves; white-colored flowers; and relatively tolerant to high temperatures.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Soft Yocheryl’, characterized by its upright, outwardly spreading and rounded plant habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; decorative-type inflorescences with elongated oblong-shaped ray florets; light lavender-colored ray florets; natural season flowering in early October in the Northern Hemisphere; and good garden performance.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a new and distinct variety of Petunia plant having a decumbent habit and short stems. The Petunia plant has abundant branching, and a great profusion of blooms, the whole plant remaining in bloom for a considerable period of time. The flowers are single and small, the petals having pale yellow-green with brilliant yellow-green and brilliant greenish-yellow veins. The inside color of the corolla throat is brilliant greenish-yellow and the outside of the corolla tube is light yellow-green. The plant exhibits high resistance to rain, heat, cold and disease.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry named ‘Driscoll Sanibel.’ The variety is similar to the varieties ‘Biscayne’ and ‘Key Largo.’ The variety is distinguished from ‘Biscayne’ and ‘Key Largo,’ in particular, by its smaller number of teeth on the terminal leaflets, longer fruit length, greater number of achenes per berry, greater average fruit yield, flat terminal leaflet margin profile, and moderate resistance to Verticillium.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry named ‘Driscoll Destin.’ The variety is similar to the varieties ‘Biscayne’ and ‘Key Largo.’ The variety is distinguished from ‘Biscayne’ and ‘Key Largo,’ in particular, by its shorter plant height, larger flower diameter, an orange-red external fruit color, greater yield, weak leaf glossiness, very dense stipule pubescence, and a small hollow fruit center.

Abstract: Shrub rose plant having deep pink blooms of the hybrid tea type, long arching growth, strong Tea Rose fragrance and vigorous, branching growth.

Abstract: A new and distinct Anisodontea plant named ‘Elegant Lady’, characterized by its upright and somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; vigorous growth habit; tri-lobed leaves; freely flowering habit; and large light purple-colored flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘Balcebimpu’ characterized by its large, single purple-colored flowers, dark green-colored glossy foliage, good basal branching, and upright and mounded growth habit.

Abstract: A new garden rose plant of the shrub rose class which has abundant, yellow flowers and attractive foliage. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting a supporting insert, such as a set insert (bun) for a vehicle, into a cover, such as a seat cover for a vehicle. The apparatus of the present invention includes a bench upon which a cover holding assembly and a stuffing bracket are provided. The holding assembly comprises four self-adjusting blades which are substantially grouped together at the beginning of the fitting cycle. After an inside-out seat cover's open end is fitted onto the blades, the blades move away from each other into the corners of the cover to expand the cover to its maximum size. The insert is then positioned between the top (closed) end of the covering material and the stuffing bracket. The stuffing bracket then drives the seat insert into the inside-out covering material, gradually turning the material outside-out as the insert is moved forward.

Abstract: A photovoltaic roofing assembly comprises a roofing membrane (102), a plurality of photovoltaic modules (104, 106, 108) disposed as a layer on top of the roofing membrane (102), and a plurality of pre-formed spacers, pedestals or supports (112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122) which are respectively disposed below the plurality of photovoltaic modules (104, 106, 108) and integral therewith, or fixed thereto. Spacers (112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122) are disposed on top of roofing membrane (102). Membrane (102) is supported on conventional roof framing, and attached thereto by conventional methods. In an alternative embodiment, the roofing assembly may have insulation block (322) below the spacers (314, 314?, 315, 315?). The geometry of the pre-formed spacers (112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 314, 314?, 315, 315?) is such that wind tunnel testing has shown its maximum effectiveness in reducing net forces of wind uplift on the overall assembly.

Abstract: A skimmer filter assembly includes a hollow skimmer box including therein an accordion pleat weir-type water inlet, substantially vertically positioned filter mats and a submersible or external water pump positioned at the rear of the skimmer box. A filter mat holder and dirty sump retain the filter mats in a stable, slightly off vertical position and provide for removal of the dirty sump without repositioning the weir or water pump. The water pump is positioned in a portion of the skimmer box which is not vertically restricted, thus allowing multiple size water pumps to be utilized in their standard upright position without removing the mats to make room for large pumps and providing for servicing or removal of the pumps without disturbing the filter mats the filter mat holder, the dirty sump or the water inlet weir.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated coupling and uncoupling system for model railroads comprised of a drawbar pivotally-mounted to one end of a railroad car, wherein the drawbar contains an integral leaf spring extending from the first end of the coupler to tend to center the drawbar, a coupler body with cantilever springs secured to the second end of the drawbar, a magnetically-actuated post pivotally-secured to the drawbar extending downward from the drawbar, and a pivotally-mounted coupler knuckle secured to the post and pivotally secured to the drawbar such that the pivotally-mounted coupler knuckle will interact with the cantilever spring.

Abstract: A vehicle fuel or gas tank is subjected to either a build up of pressure or a negative pressure, and in view of this inlet and outlet vents are provided in the fuel cap to balance the pressure with the atmosphere, and this balance of fuel tank pressure is attained by covers of vents in the fuel cap and the covers having an umbrella or parabolic shape or the vents may be covered by reed valves. The disclosure of covers of vents as described in this invention then obviates the use of coiled metal springs to control vents in vehicle fuel caps.

Abstract: A device (10) is for the attachment of mobile phones or like apparatus to a belt or other garment of a user. The device (10) includes a receptacle body (12) and corresponding flanged lug fastener (11) which is attached to the mobile phone or like apparatus. The receptable receptacle body (12) is adapted to be attached to a belt or the like by means of a clip (14) positioned on the receptable receptacle body (12). The body (12) has an opening (25) located at its top side portion into which the flange of the lug fastener (11) is received with the lug fastener (11) extending through a slot (27) on the receptable receptacle body (12) communicating with the opening (25) such that the mobile phone or like apparatus is positioned outside and adjacent the receptacle body (12) when the lug fastener (11) is received within the receptacle body (12).

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing alkenyl aromatic foams utilizing a combination of atmospheric and organic gases as blowing agent, preferably using greater than 30% by weight of atmospheric gas, and preferably also using a predetermined about of a masterbatch mix comprising a styrenic polymer, a rubbery block copolymer, and a solid blowing agent. Also disclosed are alkenyl aromatic foams produced by the process which exhibit increased densities, increased thermoforming capabilities, increased post-expansion properties, and increased retainment of the atmospheric and organic gases.

Abstract: Conjugate are formed by covalently linking a target-specific compound to pyropheophorbide compound which conjugated are injected into a host and accumulate in tumor tissue to a higher degree than surrounding normal tissues. When the pyropheophorbide compound component of the conjugate is exposed to a particular wavelength of light the compound becomes cytotoxic destroying the tumor or diseased tissue without causing irreversible normal tissue damage. The pyropheophorbide compounds have been shown to have a variety of characteristics when used in photodynamic therapy. These characteristics are further improved when the compounds are bound to a target specific component such as a ligand capable of binding to a specific cellular receptor (e.g. growth hormones and growth factors) or an antibody capable of binding to a particular antigen.

Abstract: High yields of ester-substituted diary carbonates such as bis-methyl salicyl carbonate were obtained by the condensation of methyl salicylate with phosgene in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst (PTC) in an interfacial reaction system in which the pH of the aqueous phase was greater than 9.3. Using the method of the present invention conversions of greater than 99% were obtained whereas under standard conditions using triethylamine as the catalyst conversions were limited to 70-75% of the methyl salicylate starting material even with a 20 mole % excess of added phosgene. The optimized conditions of the of the present invention use only a slight excess of phosgene and represent an attractive route for the manufacture of bis methyl salicyl carbonate and ester-substituted diaryl carbonates generally.

Abstract: A needle and a cover with a needle having an elongate shank and a tip with a sharpened point. The cover is coaxially associated with the elongate shank for movement therealong toward the tip and includes a part for extending beyond the sharpened point when the cover is positioned near the tip. A lock associated with the needle and cover cooperates with and holds the cover to prevent axial movement relative to the needle tip after positioning the cover near the tip. A retaining member on the adapter and on the cover releasably attach the cover to the adapter while on the elongate shank of the needle allowing the needle and cover to be disengaged from the catheter and adapter after placement.

Abstract: In a small and thin memory module for sharing data among electronic devices such as information processing apparatuses, a write prohibit state can be visually recognized. A conductive seal is attached to a predetermined position on a support member, thereby setting the memory module in the write prohibit state. The conductive seal visually indicates the write prohibit state. When the memory module is mounted in a connector section of a card-shaped holder, connector pins are electrically connected to each other via the conductive seal. That, a write prohibit mechanism is realized at low cost.

Abstract: In a set of protective gear for a firefighter or for an emergency worker, a helmet is covered by an aluminized cover, which is joined to an aluminized shroud along an uninterrupted juncture, so as to eliminate any gap between the shroud and the cover, where the cover is joined to the shroud. In a preferred embodiment, the uninterrupted juncture is defined by a permanent seam, which is sewn and which may be sealed by an adhesive sealant so as to be fluid-impervious. Being uninterrupted, the seam impedes and, if sealed by an adhesive sealant, blocks infiltration of heat, water, gases, or smoke between the shroud and the cover. In an alternative embodiment, cover and the shroud have common region including the uninterrupted juncture, the common region being aluminized. The common region blocks infiltration of heat, water, gases, or smoke between the shroud and the cover.

Abstract: In a face mask for use in the practice of paint-ball games or other such activities requiring effective shielding of the face, a large unitary lens is applied to an aperture extending from the brow to the chin and from one temple to the other. The lens is secured by a pair of releasable clips that can be quickly manipulated for cleaning or replacement of the lens in a matter of seconds. A semi-conical breath deflector extends behind the lens from the nose bridge to the base of the lens channeling the breath away from the lens and towards ventilating slits in the base of the mask. The slant of the deflector avoids any obstruction of the field of vision such as created by the lens frame of conventional goggles and face masks.

Abstract: The present invention teaches articles of apparel and protective equipment including light-cure materials having a permanent memory capability. Accordingly, the present invention can be used to make shin guards, knee pads, thigh pads, hip pads, rib guards, shoulder pads, elbow pads, biceps pads, forearm pads, gloves, neck guards, face guards, chin straps, wrist guards, helmets, prosthetic devices, body armor, splints and casts.

Abstract: A protective garment, such as a surgical gown, includes a front portion, a back portion, and sleeves. A skin wellness agent is deposited on an inner body-facing surface of at least one of the front portion, back portion, and sleeves, and may also be provided in the sleeve cuffs. The skin wellness agent is transferred to the wearer's skin through contact with the inner body-facing surface of the garment.

Abstract: A raincoat capable of substantially protecting a body and a head of a user from becoming wet by falling rain, and additionally capable of protecting various personal belongings carried by the user from falling rain. The raincoat has a single sleeve through which one of the arms of the user selectively extends. The other arm and hand of the user, selectively used for carrying various personal belongings, selectively remain within and covered by the raincoat in order to prevent the personal belongings from becoming wet by falling rain, but may be extended as needed through a sealable arm opening positioned at a location on the raincoat opposed to the position from which the sleeve extends. The raincoat has a zippered hood compartment for selectively storing a hood. In use, the raincoat and attached hood substantially cover the user from the head down to the feet of the user, with the exception of the hands of the user.

Abstract: A stick controller for a glove, particularly a hockey glove, includes a padded wedge of a generally trapezoidal shape to cover the palm side of the hand to stabilize a hockey stick or the like which fits within the palm of the hand. The pad is preferably above the radiocarpal joint of the wrist and below the center axis of rotation of the metacarpalphalangeal joints overlying the carpometacarpal joints of the long finger, the ring finger and the small finger.

Abstract: Rings 5 of the shearing rubber are sewn with eight points at the surfaces and rear sides at both ends of the left turban 1 and right turban 2. The turban stopper 4 can be passed through the eight points between the ring-shaped outer circumference 8 and the ring-shaped inner circumference 9. The shearing rubber 10 is sewn with the ring-shaped outer circumference 8 and ring-shaped inner circumference 9, corresponding to the four sides, left and right, and diagonally from the center of the central line of the cap body 3 made of thin polyamide-Japanese paper blended material. Both the left turban 1 and the right turban 2 are formed by wrapping a thin towel with thin polyamide-Japanese paper blended material wherein, the cap body, left turban and right turban are integrated and are reversible types by which the surface and rear side thereof can be used. Two steps of work for application of permanent treatment solutions can be rationally carried out with only one cap for permanent waves comfortably.

Abstract: The present invention includes a hat having a dome portion that substantially matches a person's head and a bill portion that is integrated with the dome portion. The dome portion and the bill portion are formed from a slurry of fibrous pulp material and has a substantially rigid structure.

Abstract: An improved cap has an open tapered exterior pocket for easily securely storing a marking device. The marking device, such as a pencil, pen, felt tip market, etc. readily accessible is highly accessible while at the same time safely secured on the user.

Abstract: Novelty play jeans for children which include one or more active play features usable while the jeans are being worn. These various features include, but are not limited to a race course for a toy race car, a concealed pocket extractable to form a flag-like decoration, a window pocket, a secret tunnel pocket, a carry pouch convertible into a flat play area, and concealed knee pockets which enable the user of jeans to display a puppet show using built-in features of the jeans, while worn by the user.

Abstract: A clip for attaching a strap to a pair of eye wear, such as goggles, includes a body portion, a slot to secure an end of the strap, a detent supported on the body to rotatably secure the clip to the goggle, and an engagement member for removably attaching the clip to the goggle. In one embodiment, the engagement member is a pivotal fastener that is movable between a position where the clip is attached to the goggle body and a position where it is removed from the goggle.

Abstract: A protective garment having a collar has a chinstrap attached to the collar via an elongate member having two opposite ends, each of which is attached to the collar and one of which is attached detachably to the collar via a hook-and-loop fastener. The chinstrap is adjustable along the elongate member to any on a range of adjusted positions of the chinstrap along the elongate member. Preferably, the elongate member is a strap, which or at least a portion of which is elastic, and the chinstrap has a hem, through which the elongate member passes.

Abstract: A two-way flow control valve for repeatedly dispensing a limited amount of liquid. A float valve is linked to a second valve and storage chamber such that one valve is closed when the other is opened, and vice versa. The chamber fills when the float valve is closed, and empties when the float valve is opened. The assembly is useful for dispensing a liquid cleaner into a toilet tank.

Abstract: A bobbin assembly is provided that is suitable for dispensing webbed material using a power driven coupling in a toilet seat assembly having a housing with wall portions. The bobbin assembly comprises an extruded thermoplastic hollow tube having a plurality of splines disposed longitudinally therein and an end cap assembly adapted for connection to the wall portion. The splines are constructed and arranged in mating inter-engagement with the power driven coupling. The end coupling is spring biased toward the hollow tube to mate with the hollow tube. The bobbin assembly allows for identical supply and take-up bobbins.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for foot actuating a toilet by providing a foot pedal having an enhoused cable extending therefrom. The cable is attached inside the toilet tank to a flushing means within the tank. Upon a user stepping down on the pedal, dual components of the pedal provide for the amount of cable within the foot pedal to be increased by a factor of two relative to the pedal travel distance. This in turn provides for the cable inside of the tank to be decreased by such amount for lifting a weight and actuating the internal flushing means within the toilet tank. Upon removing the user's foot from the foot pedal, the foot pedal, cable and weight are automatically reset to a starting position allowing the toilet to be reset to its original position for reuse.

Abstract: A fence system is provided for use in conjunction with an above-the-ground flexible wall swimming pool having a liner with an upper rim defining a closed area and a plurality of spaced supports each having a lower end in engagement with the ground and an upper end connected to and supporting the liner upper rim. The fence system includes at least two spaced apart and elongated struts wherein each strut has a first end and a second end. A hanger is secured to each strut adjacent its first end and this hanger is dimensioned to fit over and be supported by the upper rim of the liner. A fastener assembly secures the second end of the strut to one support while a fence section is secured to the first ends of the struts so that the fence section extends upwardly from the upper rim of the liner.

Abstract: A device for obtaining a desired pool water level is provided. The device includes a tank in communication with a pool containing a automatic fill device and an overfill drain device in fixed relation to each other. The height of the automatic fill device and overfill drain device can be simultaneously adjusted.

Abstract: A top mounting faucet assembly comprising a mounting plate that may be mounted to a sink surface, a waterway tube, a faucet body housing, and a locking mechanism. The waterway tube is housed within the faucet body housing, to form a removable faucet assembly. The locking mechanism is attached to the mounting plate. This removable faucet assembly is mounted upon the mounting plate by attaching the faucet assembly to the locking mechanism.

Abstract: This invention is a device for translatably positioning a patient along a bed. The device has a motor connected to a series of pulleys. A corresponding series of straps are attached at one end to a respective pulley and at the other end to a bed sheet. As the pulleys are rotated by operation of the motor, each strap is wound around its respective pulley thereby causing the associated sheet to be drawn in the general direction of the pulleys. The device may be operated by the patient or a caregiver and the device contains a safety mechanism that prevents the pulleys from pulling the associated bed sheet completely into the device. In one embodiment of the invention, the components of the device are received onto a portable, adjustable frame that permits the device to be transported to a number of different beds and used with beds of differing sizes.

Abstract: A moving device (1) capable of being operated easily and safely to move a person between various types of beds and chairs by supporting the femoral region and backbone of a person to be moved instead of by suspending the person to be moved by a belt or supporting the axillas and knees of the person, comprising a body frame (4) having a pair of right and left front wheels (2) and rear wheels (3) and having an open rear side, a column (14) erected on the body frame, a pair of right and left side seat parts (32) provided on a pair of right and left side arms (31) fixed to the column, a handrail frame body (46) fixed to the column and having an open rear side, a backbone supporting part (48) disposed at the rear of the seat parts, and a lifting mechanism capable of lifting the seat parts vertically, wherein the arms are formed in a crank-shape and connected pivotally to the column through longitudinal shafts positioned at the front of the knees of the person to be moved, and the seat parts are rotated eccentrical

Abstract: A child containment structure includes a floor and a sidewall connected to the floor and defining a unitary structure with the floor. The sidewall includes at least one side panel formed at least partially of an air-restricting material and at least one ventilation panel positioned between the floor and the side panel. The ventilation panel has a maximum height smaller than that of the side panel, and the ventilation panel permits air flow between an interior of the containment structure and an exterior of the containment structure along a sleeping surface of the child containment structure.

Abstract: A knock-down bed frame assembly formed from extruded plastic components. The knock-down bed frame assembly includes a frame having a pair of side rails and a pair of end rails joined together to define the rectangular peripheral edge of the bed frame. Both the side rails and the end rails are formed from sections of extruded plastic. The side rails are each formed from at least a pair of side boards connected to each other by a connector bracket, also formed from plastic. Each of the side rails includes a support section having a mounting slot that receives an end cap formed on each of a plurality of top panels. The top panels are mountable between the side rails to provide a support surface for a mattress. The entire knock-down bed frame can be disassembled into individual components that can be contained within a conventional shipping container.

Abstract: A crib safety net, which is securable to an open-top interior space of a crib, comprising one or more side panels coupled relative to each other, wherein the side panels form vertical panels of the crib safety net, wherein the side panels are capable of substantially covering the side walls of the open-top crib interior space, and wherein the side panels each include a top edge portion, and a bottom panel substantially perpendicularly coupled relative to the side panels, wherein the bottom panel forms a horizontal panel of the crib safety net, wherein the bottom panel is capable of substantially covering the support surface of the open-top crib interior space, and wherein the bottom panel is capable of being at least partially covered by a crib mattress.

Abstract: There is described a bed comprising a frame, a rail pivotally mounted on the frame and pivotable between a guardrail position and an open position, a distance between the frame and the rail when the rail is in the guardrail position, and a resilient element mounted on the frame or on the rail or on both the frame and the rail to fill the distance between the frame and the rail when the rail is in the guardrail position to thereby reduce rattling of the rail when the rail is in the guardrail position. The resilient element is preferably a resilient roller mounted on the frame, the roller engaging the rail when the rail is pivoted into the guardrail position.

Abstract: A blanket construction (10) primarily designed for airline passengers wherein, the construction (10) includes a blanket member (20) having a vertical stem portion (23) including a criss-cross pocket arrangement (27) on its lower end (25) that is adapted to receive a liner element (50) and a horizontal cross-arm portion (22) wherein, the stem portion (23) is adapted to receive the legs and lower torso of the user and the cross arm portion (22) is adapted to surround the upper torso and arms of the user.