Abstract: A chrysanthemum plant named ‘Effie’ characterized by its medium sized blooms with purple ray florets and yellow center and prolific branching; natural season flower date August 11-15; blooming for a period of 5 weeks.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Sutera plant particularly distinguished by its very big blue flowers, early to flower, thick stems and a growing habit that is spreading and trailing.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety for Ground Cover Rose plant is provided which forms on a substantially continuous basis sprays of attractive long-lasting bright red blossoms. The blossoms open on a reliable basis and retains their attractiveness upon aging. The new variety exhibits a compact spreading growth habit. The foliage is dark green and glossy and contrasts well with the bright red blossom coloration. The surfaces of leaves commonly are somewhat curled and partially closed. The blossom petals commonly detach cleanly upon full maturity. The plant propagates well from cuttings and by budding. Excellent resistance to Blackspot, Powdery Mildew, and Rust are displayed, and the plant is particularly well suited for growing as an attractive ornamental ground cover in the landscape.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Calibrachoa plant named ‘Balcabscar’ characterized by its scarlet red-colored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, floriferousness, and moderately vigorous, mounded-trailing growth habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘Danhardor’ characterized by having large, round, dark lavender flowers, containing a red eye in the center; green leaves; highly branched; and a compact, round growth habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of rose with long lasting, novel golden yellow flowers, and attractive foliage with good disease resistance. It exhibits uniform, upright to climbing growth with abundant flowers. The new variety propagates well from cuttings and by grafting. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Abstract: A new miniature rose plant named ‘Poulpah037’ that has abundant, red flowers and attractive foliage. The variety successfully propagates from softwood cuttings and is suitable for year-round production in commercial glasshouses. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Abstract: A new distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant named ‘Sunny Sabrina’, characterized by its single, daisy type composite inflorescenses with elliptic, acute, ligulate ray florets and tubular disc florets; light to dark purple disc florets, and light red-purple to red-purple ray florets with gray-orange undersides; dark green to yellow-green, large leaves; ovate to spatulate leaves with 6-8 small, acute lobes; and short peduncles, branches and compact bushy plant shape.

Abstract: A new and distinct Double Impatiens plant named ‘Danmuorglow’ characterized by having compact and rounded growth habit; double, orange colored flowers; green colored leaves; and good branching.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Phlox plant named ‘Spinners’, characterized by its upright and strong plant habit; freely basally branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit; thick and leathery foliage; attractive red-purple-colored flowers with white stripes; freely and continuous flowering habit; long flowering period; resistance to Powdery Mildew; and excellent garden performance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry named “La Cle des Champs”. The variety is botanically identified as Fragaria×ananassa. The new variety is distinguished from other varieties by a number of properties including but not limited to: shape and lengthy leaves; fruit color and texture; and disease and temperature hardiness.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘Fisco Fire’, characterized by its relatively compact, outwardly spreading and uniformly mounded plant habit; rounded growth habit; freely branching and freely flowering habit; dark green-colored foliage; large bright red-colored flowers; and flowers that are positioned above or beyond the foliage.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Alstroemeria plant named ‘Zalsarest’, characterized by its erect and strong flowering stems; vigorous growth habit; white-colored flowers; and good postproduction longevity.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Zonal Geranium plant named ‘Pacry’, characterized by its upright, rounded and compact plant habit; freely basal branching and flowering habit; leaves without a zonation pattern; light purple-colored flowers with red purple-colored blotches; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Zonal Geraniumplant named ‘Pacpin’, characterized by its upright, rounded and compact plant habit; freely basal branching and flowering habit; leaves with a faint zonation pattern; red purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Zonal Geranium plant named ‘Pacry’, characterized by its upright, rounded and compact plant habit; freely basal branching and flowering habit; leaves without a zonation pattern; red purple-colored flowers with red-colored blotches; and good garden performance.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner includes an upright housing section and a nozzle base section. A cyclonic airflow dirt and dust separating chamber is defined in the upright housing section. A suction source pulls air and entrained dirt, dust, and other contaminants through a main suction opening formed in the underside of the nozzle base section and into the cyclonic airflow chamber. The cyclonic airflow chamber causes the suction airstream to travel in a cyclonic path such that the entrained contaminants are separated therefrom and deposited into a dirt container that defines the chamber. A main filter element filters residual contaminants from the suction airstream between the chamber and the suction source. An exhaust filter housing includes an airstream suction duct in fluid communication with an outlet of the airflow chamber and an inlet of the suction source. An outlet of the suction source is in fluid communication with an exhaust plenum of the exhaust filter housing.

Abstract: An A method of manufacturing an ink-jet recording head comprising: which includes an elastic sheet providing facing pressure generating chambers; , nozzle orifices, each communicating with the pressure generating chambers; , and piezoelectric vibrators formed on the elastic sheet, each of the piezoelectric vibrators having, a lower electrode formed on the elastic sheet, the method including forming a piezoelectric layer formed on the lower electrode, and forming an upper electrode formed on the piezoelectric layer such that the upper electrode faces the respective pressure generating chamber, wherein the area where the lower electrode, piezoelectric layer and upper electrode overlap is located within an area defined by the pressure generating chamber in the longitudinal direction thereof.

Abstract: A digitizer for determining coordinate value of a point designated on a given two-dimensional coordinate plane. A pointing instrument is manually operable to designate a point on the given two-dimensional coordinate plane of a tablet. The tablet includes a flat sensor defining the given two-dimensional coordinate plane and operative for transmitting magnetic signal between the flat sensor and the pointing instrument disposed thereon to detect the designated point to thereby produce a detection signal, and a shielding plate disposed under the flat sensor to magnetically shield the flat sensor. The shielding plate is composed of silicon steel containing 4.0 to 7.0 weight % of silicon. A processing circuit is connected to the flat sensor for processing the detection signal to determine the coordinate value of the designated point.

Abstract: Disclosed are electrolyte compositions for depositing tin or tin-alloys at various current densities. Also disclosed are methods of plating such tin or tin-alloys on substrates, such as the high speed tin plating of steel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a vehicle including a frame, and a stabilizer apparatus including a pressure source, first and second fluid-actuated stabilizer assemblies connected respectively to the front and rear axles shiftably moveable on the frame, one of the first and second stabilizer assemblies normally being locked against extension and contraction in the absence of pressurization thereof by the pressure source, and the other of the first and second stabilizer assemblies normally being free to extend and contract in the absence of pressurization thereof by the pressure source, a hydraulic circuit connected between the pressure source and the first and second fluid activated stabilizer assemblies and including a flow controller operable between a first mode wherein the pressure source is disconnected from the first and second stabilizer assemblies, whereby the one of the stabilizer assemblies is locked against extension and retraction, thereby locking the axle connected thereto against shifting movement relative

Abstract: A magnetic head suspension assembly is fabricated with an integral piece which includes a load beam section, a flexure section, a rest mount section and a leaf spring section between the load beam and rear mount. A tongue extends from the load beam to the flexure and has a down-facing load dimple which contacts the non-air bearing surface of an attached air bearing slider. The flexure includes narrow thin legs adjacent to a cutout that delineates the load beam tongue. The head suspension is characterised by a high first bending mode frequency and low pitch and roll stiffness.

Abstract: A turbine nozzle includes a plurality of vanes joined at opposite ends to outer and inner bands. The inner band has a forward hook which is segmented to reduce thermal mismatch. And, in additional embodiments the vane includes an impingement baffle having preferential cooling.

Abstract: A method for treating Type II diabetes by administering to an affected individual a combination of chromic tripicolinate and biotin. The two compounds are administered orally or parenterally at in daily dosages which provide between 50 and 1,000 ?g of chromium and between 25 ?g and 200 mg biotin, the amounts of chromium and biotin being selected together to provide a greater than additive effect.

Abstract: A food holder comprising a substantially symmetrical U-shaped body having a pair of opposite digit pockets for accepting fingers or a thumb of a user of the food holder therein and a food pocket located between the digit pockets. The digit pockets taper to accept the fingers or thumb placed therein and to frictionally connect the food holder to a hand of the user. An exterior surface of the digit pockets has elongated ridges to prevent cutting of the surface and into the interior of the pockets during use of the food holder. The food holder is used to hold food by placing the food within the food pocket and moving the digit pockets towards each other. The food holder is preferably used to hold food while the food is being cut.

Abstract: An upper torso garment, such as a jacket, can be folded within itself to transform it into a different shape for use as a pillow. In a further embodiment, the garment bears an integral back pack which can be used while the garment is being worn, and can be transformed into either the pillow shape or into a wearable back pack, with the garment structure fully contained and concealed in both of these configurations. The garment includes a flap element an integral hinge portion and separable fastener halves, e.g. zipper half sections, mounted to permit various parts of the garment to be fastened together in varying relative configurations by fastening one half section to various other mating half sections located on different parts of the garment.

Abstract: Decorative novelty head wear is provided including a head engaging member adapted to be worn on a user's head and at least one decorative member mounted to the head engaging member and including a generally flat substrate having a decorative surface. The decorative head wear can include sports team logos, college mascots, slogans, corporate logos, or other decorative indicia. The decorative head wear can be manufactured inexpensively and packaged very easily and shipped economically since the head wear takes up little space and is very light in weight.

Abstract: Headwear is disclosed having a cut-out or opening along the bottom side edges to accommodate eyewear or other items, and eliminate interference in the ear area between the headwear and the eyewear or other item. The cut-out or opening is defined by a headwear bottom side edge that is substantially different and/or higher than the generally smooth, consistent arc seen in the prior art.

Abstract: A system for removing odorous air from a toilet bowl into a sewer line includes a toilet seat defining a plurality of air inlets spaced apart along a bottom side and an air outlet at a rear side with an internal channel connecting the air inlets and outlet. The system includes an air pump suitable for mounting to a rear of the toilet for connection to the toilet seat with tubing. A pressure sensor on the seat actuates the pump to draw air through the inlets to the pump upon sensing the pressure of a user thereon. Additional tubing extends from the pump through the toilet wax ring for exhausting the air into a sewer line. A check valve on the additional tubing prevents return of sewer gas into the system.

Abstract: A toilet mounting assembly including a pedestal for fastening to a floor and a toilet snap-fit to the pedestal. The pedestal includes a plate for positioning upon a floor and having an opening in its center. An upstanding lip is affixed to the front of the plate. The lip is formed from a resilient material and has a notch in its front. An upstanding lug is affixed to the rear of the plate and has an indention in its rear. The toilet, however, includes a base for positioning upon the plate and a fluid outlet for positioning within the opening in the plate. A protrusion extends from the front of the base into the notch in the lip after the protrusion temporarily deforms the lip to gain access to the notch. A projection extends from the rear of the base into indention in the lug.

Abstract: A medical assist device relocates patients from a first support such as a bed to a second support such as a chair or wheelchair. Upon location of the assist device to a position adjacent such first support, the patient may stand on a rotatable platform of the assist device. Upon actuation of the motor, preferably by a remote controller, the platform is caused to slowly rotate through a desired angular path to position the patient adjacent the second support. A steadying structure is provided for gripping by the patient. Under one embodiment, the steadying structure is designed to be collapsible.

Abstract: An adjustable bed that enables a Gatch mechanism to be operated in an excellent fashion to match the flexing of a care recipient's body, and that is, moreover, useable as a superior low platform bed for care recipients. To this end, a parallel link mechanism having a pair of perpendicular arms is provided in the adjustable bed as part of a sitting-up mechanism, and by always keeping these arms in a perpendicular position, the sitting-up mechanism is operated with a position removed from the surface of a lower-back board by a prescribed interval as an imaginary rotation center when the bed is driven. This prevents any slippage of the care recipient's body in relation to the platform surface, thereby suppressing the occurrence of bedsores and realizing a natural sitting-up action that takes account of the care recipient's body movement.

Abstract: A patient immobilization device comprises a backboard having a front side and a back side, and a pair of opposing paddles slidably mounted on the backboard. The paddles are configured to move between a storage position and a support position, to support the head of a patient. Each paddle has a leg portion depending therefrom and extends through a respective slot formed in the backboard between the front and back and sides. A spanning portion of the paddle depends from the leg portion and engages the back side of the backboard to secure the paddle to the backboard. The spanning portion moves in a generally arcuate path between the storage and support positions. In one embodiment, the paddles are flexible along their height so that a portion of the paddle can flex to rotate under the force of a securing structure. In another embodiment, the paddles have multiple sections, with one of the sections being movable to a storage position to expose a portion of the head or neck of a user.

Abstract: A pillow is structured for preserving a user's facial beauty and includes a central portion, and upper and lower leg members extending from both the left and right sides of the central portion. The upper and lower leg members on each side are angled relative to one another to form a V-shaped gap. The upper and lower leg members support the user's head and neck, while the face remains over the V-shaped gap avoiding contact with the pillow, and thereby preventing distortion and wrinkling of the facial skin. A case that covers the facial beauty pillow may include straps, allowing the facial beauty pillow to be secured to a conventional pillow to adjust the resting height of the head according to the individual comfort level of the user.

Abstract: A fluid-control medical mattress includes a platform and multiple supports mounted on the platform. Each support is a bladder for selectively receiving fluid to support a patient. A skirt is mounted to a periphery of the platform and surrounds the platform for retaining water with the platform for a nurse to conveniently clean the body of the patient who lies on the platform. The multiple supports respectively correspond to the head, neck, shoulder, pelvis and knee for supporting the patient who lies on the platform when the multiple supports are full of fluid.

Abstract: A bed comprises a support arrangement (1) adapted to provide upper support surfaces for and carry a person lying in the bed through an upper limitation thereof. A suction device is arranged to generate an air flow from the contact surfaces between a person lying in the bed, through the interior of the support arrangement and out thereof for obtaining a ventilation of the bed space under the person and suction of air away from the bed space through the suction device when a person rests in the bed.

Abstract: Edge rails for a mattress core are combined with an upholstery layer to provide a pre-assembled work piece that provides a perimeter about a mattress core. The edge rails, which may be foam, may be attached to the upholstery layer with hinges that permit each edge rail to rotate relative to the upholstery layer between an unassembled, flat position and an assembled, upright position. In the unassembled position, the work piece may present a relatively flat profile for more convenient bulk storage. In the assembled position, the edge rails are positioned to closely surround a mattress core of suitable size.

Abstract: An inflatable mattress is provided having an upper and a lower inflatable support chamber which are arranged in a substantially vertical manner. Each inflatable support chamber has a top layer, a bottom layer, and a side gusset. At least one inflatable stabilizing component is attached at the bottom layer of the lower inflatable support chamber and is of a height less than the height of the lower inflatable support chamber.

Abstract: A pool or tank cleaner that is propelled by means of one or more water jets is directed in one or more predetermined systematic scanning patterns of either straight, curvilinear, or combinations of both, by an apparatus and method that controls and varies the directional discharge of one or more water jets that propel the cleaner in its translational movement. The direction of the discharge of the propelling water jet is changed by mechanical sensors, electrical sensors, or by interrupting the water pump. Further variations in the direction of translational movement of the cleaner are effected by activating at least one retractable depending member to periodically contact the pool surface below the moving cleaner, thereby causing the cleaner to pivot or otherwise change direction.

Abstract: An appliance for applying a lotion, such as a sunscreen, to the skin includes a housing, from which a soft pad extends, and a elongated handle. The pad, which includes a flat application surface, is rotated by a motor in the handle about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the flat application surface. The surface of the pad may be formed of a porous material or of a solid elastomeric material having a texture providing spaces for holding lotion.

Abstract: An agitator includes a high strength, continuous metal axle, a pulley held on one end of the metal axle and a sleeve of lightweight plastic material received over the axle. The agitator is manufactured by molding a pulley body onto an underlying metal support or D-nut, fitting an axle into the pulley, molding a sleeve around the axle and securing a cleaning structure on the sleeve.

Abstract: This invention relates to windshield wiper system which utilizes a flexible drive arm for withstanding bending loads applied to a wiper. The drive arm may be made of a pull-molded composite material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity and a relatively high elongation factor. The flexible arm twists in the presence a bending load and undergoes rapidly progressing elastic buckling when the bending load exceeds a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A twin-loop dust collector comprises: a case with an opening on the upper side thereof, being provided on a lateral side thereof with a vent hole; a net plate provided to cover the opening, one side of the net plate is pivotally connected with the case to allow lifting of the net plate. When the net plate covers the opening, the net plate is transversely mounted to divide the vent hole into two areas; thereby when in air suction, two loops for exhausting air are formed above and below the net plate respectively.

Abstract: A recovery and storage device suitable for picking up children's toys and placing them in a storage container has an appearance of a novelty animal, primarily an elephant, including an anatomical frame member with a vacuum motor integrated with a vacuum housing including a flexible hose, which picks up the toys through the flexible hose and directs the toys through the vacuum housing to a chute, where the toys are deposited in a removable storage bin, the device having several safety features which are suited to deter use by small children, requiring an adult or older child to operate the device. The removable storage bins may be placed on a shelf when full and replace with an empty removable storage bin, segregating toys by lot and kind.

Abstract: Caster wheel assemblies that may be snap-fitted onto a cylindrical tank or drum are shown and described. Also dolly-wheel assemblies that include an axle supported by two wheels are also disclosed which may be snap-fitted onto a cylindrical tank or drum. The caster wheel assemblies and dolly wheel assemblies disclosed herein may be easily mounted onto a tank or drum without the need for a separate supporting platform. A flexible nature of the caster wheel assemblies and wheel-dolly assemblies enables them to be snap-fitted onto tanks of varying diameters.

Abstract: A hinge assembly (10) for interconnecting a main body and a cover of a portable electronic device includes a hinge housing (20), and a first hinge apparatus (30) and a second hinge apparatus (40) rotatably contained in the housing and being perpendicular to each other. The first hinge apparatus includes a cam (36) rotatably attached to the housing and fixed to the main body, and other elements housed in the housing and fixed relative thereto. The second hinge apparatus includes a boom (43), a support (41) rotatably attached to the boom and fixed to the housing, and a pair of wings (433) extending from the boom and fixed to the cover. The cover is opened relative to the main body by being rotated about an X-axis of the first hinge apparatus. The cover is then rotated relative to the housing about a Y-axis of the second hinge apparatus.

Abstract: A plastic zipper includes a pair of male hooks and female hooks for a slider guide operable parallel to the hooks for sealing on the opening side of the zipper wherein, at the same time, an inside guide of the slider is positioned between the hooks for sealing and hooks for slider guide in the case of a plastic zipper equipped with a slider.

Abstract: A rubberized conveyor belt fastener is provided including a plate portion and elastomeric material that extends beyond lateral sides of the plate so that gaps between adjacent plate portions in a conveyor belt splice can be minimized. The plate portions can also include elastomeric material extending over the upper surface thereof to better absorb impact forces therewith. Preferably, the elastomeric material connects a strip of plates together. Both upper and lower plates can be provided with elastomeric material with the lower plates of solid plate fasteners having bolts preassembled thereto deriving the additional benefit of utilizing the elastomeric material to hold the bolt head in its lower plate aperture.

Abstract: Housing for containing excess cargo tie-down material, and for containing the locking mechanism to reduce its exposure to the environmental elements. The housing is in the form of a generally flat portion and a sack made of durable material. The sack is configured to receive excess strap or other tie-down element, and to neatly fold about the locking mechanism to protect the same from severe environmental conditions. The generally flat portion includes opposite free end flaps that when folded towards each other, envelope the locking mechanism and sack.

Abstract: A rope lock is disclosed, suitably adapted for use in theatrical applications that use counterweight rigging systems. The rope lock includes an indicator to show if the counterweight rigging system is in- or out-of-balance. The rope lock also includes an automatic lockout that prevents the rope lock from being unlocked if there is an out-of-balance condition.