Abstract: A new variety of Azalea plant found as a seedling in a planned cross between the female Azalea ‘Cherie’ (syn. V12-4) and the male Azalea ‘Indian Summer’ is disclosed. The new variety has a unique blooming period and is extremely cold hardy. It is a compact, dense, and upright growing plant with attractive, red, hose-in-hose flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of black walnut tree (Juglans nigra L.) is distinctly characterized by extremely rapid growth rate and fairly strong central stem tendency, thereby producing good timber qualities. The new variety has low production of nuts. This new variety of black walnut trees was discovered by the applicant near South Raub, Tippecanoe County, Ind. in a black walnut planting from previously selected trees for outstanding timber production potential. This selection has been designated as BW508, a seedling progeny of patented ‘Purdue 1’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,543) in records maintained by the applicant on the performance of this selection, and grafts made from the selection and will be known henceforth as ‘Beineke 11’.

Abstract: A new and distinct Double Impatiens plant named ‘Danmubicred’ characterized by having medium, upright and rounded growth habit; double, red and white bicolor flowers; yellow-green colored leaves and good branching.

Abstract: A new miniature rose plant that has abundant, light 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 and distinct cultivar of seedless lemon tree named ‘Limoneira Seedless’ characterized by early bearing in August through to March in the inland citrus areas of South East Turkey and Riverside, Calif. The trees can be induced to flower by irrigation stress in summer, resulting in a late spring crop of lemons. It is further characterized by being commercially seedless. The fruit has acceptable rind thickness, acid-sugar ratios and color. The skin has a smooth texture. The fruit has an average juice content of 30-40% at harvest. The fruit shape is typically round to slightly oval elliptical.

Abstract: A new distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant named ‘Sunny Plum Serena’, characterized by its unique red-purple color combination of the upper and underside of the ray florets: (when opening) upperside RHS 72B, with stripes of RHS 155A, white, and underside RHS 72B; (fully opened) upperside and underside RHS 72C. Fading to RHS 199C, gray-brown; upright, compact and globular plant habit; dense and bushy growth habit, mainly due to upright stems; moderately vigorous growth habit, but less need for chemical growth retardation; and high number of inflorescences per plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant named ‘Sunny Antique Serena’ characterized by its unique color combinations on the upper and undersides of its ray florets: (upperside) when opening—RHS 5C to RHS 5D, yellow and when fully opened—RHS 11D, yellow; (underside) when opening and when fully opened—longitudinal stripes of alternating gray-orange colors, RHS N163A and RHS N163B, gray-orange; upright, compact and globular plant habit; dense and bushy growth habit, mainly due to upright stems; moderately vigorous growth habit, but less need for chemical growth retardation; and high number of inflorescences per plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Monarda plant named ‘Mondid 0803’, characterized by its vibrant reddish-purple colored flowers and its powdery mildew resistance.

Abstract: The present cultivar TM9 (Zoysia matrella Merr.) advantageously has a growing rate of in terms of plant height less than half as compared with existing cultivars and requires mowing every 20 to 40 days during the summer so as to be maintained in fair condition and allows the amount of fertilizer to be reduced to almost less than half.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Angelonia plant named ‘Balangpikim’ characterized by its pink and white bi-colored flowers, medium-sized flowers, and moderately vigorous, upright growth habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Angelonia plant named ‘Balangdarla’ characterized by its medium lavender-colored flowers, good basal branching, and moderately vigorous, upright growth habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct zonal geranium plant with bright violet colored flowers above medium green foliage with distinct zonation. The plant may be grown in a pillar form when supported.

Abstract: A dispensing structure, and a package with a dispensing structure, is provided with a valve. In one embodiment, the dispensing structure is a multi-piece fitment. The multi-piece fitment includes a base for mounting to the container and a valve carrier for mounting to the base. A flexible, self-sealing slit-type valve is mounted within the carrier. In another embodiment, a fitment is mounted in the opening of a thin-walled, flexible, collapsible container, and the flexible valve is mounted in the fitment. In yet another embodiment, a package includes a container having a corner wall defining an opening, and a fitment is sealingly mounted to the corner wall at the opening. A valve is disposed within the fitment. A removable and disposable cover extends from the container over the fitment and at least a portion of the corner wall to define a hermetically sealed volume around the fitment. The cover may be pulled away from the container to expose the fitment.

Abstract: An elongated composite tube made up of an inner tube 42 and an outer tube 44 (FIG. 3) with a plurality of elongated helical ribs disposed between the inner tube and the outer tube in a supporting relationship to both. A slinky like toy made from the composite tube is also disclosed, as is a method of making both.

Abstract: An ultraviolet light irradiation apparatus providing combined mechanical and chemical cleaning of light irradiation tubes for removing radiation blocking precipitates from the surface of the tubes. A scraper ring is fitted to the outside of each of the tubes and includes a chamber for receiving a relatively small quantity of cleaning solution. The scraper rings are reciprocated in a sliding action along the tubes which action synergistically acts with the cleaning solution to remove precipitates from the tube surface including fine particles lodged in concave pits in the tube surface.

Abstract: A power control apparatus includes a first driven circuit and a second driven circuit connected to the first driven circuit. A primary power-supply circuit produces a primary voltage from a source voltage of a battery and supplies the primary voltage to drive the first driven circuit. A secondary power-supply circuit produces a secondary voltage from the source voltage of the battery or from the primary voltage of the primary power-supply circuit, and supplies the secondary voltage to drive the second driven circuit. A control circuit outputs a power-supply control signal to the secondary power-supply circuit in response to a command signal, so that the supply of the secondary voltage to the second driven circuit by the secondary power-supply circuit is started or terminated by the power-supply control signal.

Abstract: A hybrid camera includes a pair of imaging systems for capturing images on contained photographic film and an electronic imager, respectively, the film having a magnetic layer. An exterior imaging display allows the user to review the captured image and an input device allows the user to selectively input album related data onto the magnetic layer of the film. The album-related data allows the photo finisher to automatically produce the images in an album-like format. The camera also allows annotated text corresponding to the image to be selectively added to an album print.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel wavelength-separating-routing (WSR) apparatus that uses a diffraction grating to separate a multi-wavelength optical signal by wavelength into multiple spectral channels, which are then focused onto an array of corresponding channel micromirrors. The channel micromirrors are individually controllable and continuously pivotable to reflect the spectral channels into selected output ports. As such, the inventive WSR apparatus is capable of routing the spectral channels on a channel-by-channel basis and coupling any spectral channel into any one of the output ports, thereby constituting a dynamic optical drop module (RODM). By operating an RODM in reverse, a dynamic optical add module (ROAM) is also provided. The RODM (or ROAM) of the present invention may be further equipped with servo-control and power-management capabilities.

Abstract: A portable image transfer system includes a digital still camera which captures images in digital form and stores the images in a camera memory, a cellular telephone transmitter, and a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU controls the camera memory to cause it to output data representing an image and the CPU controls the cellular telephone transmitter to cause a cellular telephone to transmit the data received from the camera memory. A receiving station is coupled to the cellular telephone transmitter by a cellular network to receive image data and store the images.

Abstract: The present invention provides a garment for playing paintball which is a torso-covering garment having at least two mirror-image gripping regions each containing one or more gripping areas that bear a plurality of raised tacky protrusions on one or more portions of the garment which covers at least a portion of the torso, that is, one or more of the shoulder, chest, and abdominal areas of the torso. The garment enables the paintball player to grippably contact a gripping area of the garment with the curved rear portion of the air system tank of the paintball marker, which enhances stability and improves shooting accuracy. Further provided is a method of playing paintball which comprises wearing the garment of the invention while playing paintball.

Abstract: A machine washable suit jacket or other tailored garment having a machine washable outer material with crease memory. Sections of the outer material may be sewn together with machine washable thread, and seams of such sections may have pucker preventing tapes fused to the back of the seams. The garment may have a machine washable heat fusible interfacing material that may be secured to the inner side of the garment by heat fusing. The garment may have a machine washable lining, sections of which may be joined by machine washable thread. The garment may have a pocket, that has a mouth running transversely to the length of the jacket, where the bag of the pocket is sewn to a seam of the garment sections, where the seam runs lengthwise to the garment.

Abstract: A cold proof glove characterized in that a receiving bag portion is provided in a hand back portion of a glove member, a mitten type cover member for covering substantially all of the glove member from its finger tip to its bottom portion is arranged and received in a such manner that the mitten-type cover member may be pulled out from the receiving bag portion as desired. The cover member is provided integrally with at least the glove member or the receiving bag portion.

Abstract: When a user sets water power using a water power adjustment switch in a remote control device, a controller controls the period of pressure fluctuations, the width of pressure fluctuations, and the central pressure of the discharge pressure of a pump on the basis of a signal transmitted by radio from the remote control device. When the user sets the divergent angle of washing water using a washing area adjustment switch in the remote control device, the controller controls the divergent angle of the washing water sprayed from a posterior nozzle on the basis of the signal transmitted by radio from the remote control device. Consequently, the washing water supplied to a side surface of a cylindrical swirl chamber from a first flow path in the posterior nozzle is sprayed from a spray hole as dispersed spiral flow, and the washing water supplied to a lower part of the cylindrical swirl chamber from a second flow path in the posterior nozzle is sprayed from the spray hole as linear flow.

Abstract: There is a demand for an automatic shampoo machine used in beauty solons and the like which dispenses with an all-purpose chair to be prepared separately and has a better appearance and an improved feeling of use. In an automatic shampoo machine 1, a seat 2 for seating a person to be shampooed thereon during shampooing and a basin 13 for receiving the person's head for the shampooing are supported by a common housing 3. The housing 3 accommodates and supports spout means 4 for spouting warm water automatically in the basin 13. Since the seat 2 is integrated in the automatic shampoo machine 1, the need for separately preparing a chair is obviated and the automatic shampoo machine 1 has an improved appearance. By using a space below the seat 2 effectively, functional components of the spout means 4 such as a warm water reservoir tank 45 are disposed in the space and the components can more flexibly be laid out.

Abstract: A showerhead is connected to a length of flexible weighed hose which is run through the shower wall. The showerhead may be pulled away from the wall and the hose extended out from the wall accordingly. When showerhead is replaced in a bracket against the wall the hose retracts back inside the wall.

Abstract: A multi-functional switching apparatus for bathroom showers comprises first/second control valves, first/second adjusting valve units, first/second control valve spindle units, and first/second handle units wherein the second control valve has a coupling portion fluidly connected to the first control valve. In addition to an upper valve, a watertight ring, a lower valve, and a hoop respectively, the first adjusting valve unit also has a packing piece, and the second adjusting valve unit a positioning collar. Both first/second control valve spindle units have a valve spindle with coupling sections and fixing sections disposed thereon respectively. An adjusting device is mounted to the first valve spindle, and a flow-switching device to the second valve spindle. The first/second handle units with a handle and a cross-shaped grip also include a fixed cover, a cover seat, and a cap respectively.

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. Mounted on a frame with the rotatable platform is a seat and wheels for moving a patient across a room or from room to room.

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 hospital bed that changes bed sheets without moving the patient. It is composed of a bedstead (including a headboard, a footboard and a bed frame), a deformable bed top, a spool rack and roller shafts on both sides; the ends of the deformable bed top are fixed on the headboard and footboard respectively, and the bed top is pressed into between the roller axles by the spool rack which forms a tightened and leveled bed top that is sunken in the spool rack. Two bed sheets cover the bed, extending respectively from headboard and footboard into the spool rack and rolling on a roller axle. The roller axles and roller shafts are parallel to the cross section of the bed, and are movable between the headboard and footboard with the spool rack. When the spool rack is moving, one bed sheet is spread, another one is rolled up automatically.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to support at least a portion of a body thereon. The apparatus includes a base portion and a three dimensional engineered material, the three dimensional engineered material and the base cooperate to provide support for the body.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved bed. The bed comprises a top sheet, a bottom sheet connected with the top sheet, and at least one coil beam. The coil beam further comprises a first fastener attached to the top sheet, a second fastener attached to the bottom sheet, and a string connecting the first and second fasteners. In one embodiment, the first fastener further comprises a first attachment sheet with two first openings and a first bridge formed therebetween. The first attachment sheet is welded onto the top sheet. The string runs through the two first openings between the first bridge and the top sheet. In addition, the second fastener further comprises a second attachment sheet with two second openings and a second bridge formed therebetween. The second attachment sheet is welded onto the bottom sheet. The string runs through the two second openings between the second bridge and the bottom sheet.

Abstract: A patient support is disclosed including a spacing structure and a base portion.

Abstract: A method of building and marketing composite foam mattress assemblies and a resulting bed in which the properties of the mattress may be modified in the sectors of the mattress and in the zones of the mattress.

Abstract: A laundry appliance comprises a drum for receiving a load of articles. The drum comprises at least two rotatable drum portions and a drive which is capable of rotating the drum so as to cause relative rotation between the drum portions. A controller monitors and controls operation of the appliance. The controller is arranged to determine when there is an overload condition on the drive during a period when the drum portions are being rotated relatively to one another and, in the event of an overload condition, causes the drive to operate in a manner that alleviates the overload condition. The drive can abort the current drum action and begin the next drum action in the sequence and, after a predetermined number of overload conditions, can suspend counter-rotating drum operation. The user may be provided with an indication when an overload condition occurs.

Abstract: A vacuum sweeper includes a blower for pulling debris in a stream of air through a vacuum duct, past the blower, out a blower discharge duct and into a hopper. Debris settles to the bottom of the hopper and the air exits the hopper through a return air duct having a discharge opening. The discharge opening is positioned near a vacuum nozzle inlet of the vacuum duct such that dust and debris in the return air stream is pulled back into the vacuum duct. The air discharge opening and the return air duct are sized to be larger than the vacuum nozzle inlet. The speed of the air exiting the discharge opening is thereby reduced increasing the percentage of the return air pulled back through the vacuum nozzle inlet instead of being blown out of the vacuum chamber and into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A cleaning pad is adapted to be releasably retained on a cleaning implement which includes on its cleaning head either multiple strips of pile-type fastener material or a plurality of attachment structures. The cleaning pad includes a top layer constructed of polyethylene and a bottom layer constructed of rayon. The top and bottom layers are affixed together along their peripheries by a bond line so as to define an enclosed pocket therebetween which is sized and shaped to receive a middle layer constructed of wood pulp paper. Multiple strips of hook-type fastener material are secured on the top layer and are adapted to releasably engage complimentary strips of pile-type fastener material on the cleaning implement. One or more mounting tabs are secured on the bottom layer and are adapted to releasably engage complimentary attachment structures on the cleaning implement. Each mounting tab can be disposed between a retracted, or folded, position and an extended, or unfolded, position.

Abstract: A wiper apparatus for a vehicle window has a wiper arm pivot rotatably mounted in a pivot holder fixedly securable to vehicle structure. An end portion of the wiper arm pivot normally extends exteriorly of an impact line defined by vehicle structure. The wiper arm pivot includes an inner pivot shaft telescopingly displacable with respect to an outer pivot shaft upon the imposition of an impact load on the exterior end of the wiper arm pivot. A first pin separably holds the inner pivot shaft to the outer pivot shaft at a first position. An energy absorption material mass is disposed between the inner pivot shaft and the outer pivot shaft to control the telescoping movement of the inner pivot shaft in the outer pivot shaft and to absorb impact forces acting on the inner pivot shaft. A second fixed pin is carried by the outer pivot shaft and limits movement of the inner pivot shaft to a second position adapted for temporary operation of the wiper apparatus.

Abstract: A device for simple setting up of stationary central vacuum cleaning installations in dwellings or the like. The device is in the form of a housing (6) with the purpose of accommodating a conventional vacuum cleaner (7) of the type that comprises an intake air inlet (22) to which a long suction hose (8) is connectable. Parts of the housing are detachable from the rest of the housing in order to enable adjustment of the vacuum cleaner in the interior of the housing. In the housing, an aperture (25) is formed for leading through the hose (8) to the vacuum cleaner, as well as an outlet.

Abstract: An integrated apparatus for carpet cleaning, pressure washing, air duct cleaning and inspection, portable welding, moisture abatement and other building maintenance and repair services, in which a gas engine mounts to a frame and has a drive shaft that extends from the gas engine. A blower, an air compressor, an electric generator, and a water pump also mount to the frame, with the water pump for connecting to a supply of water. A flex coupler connects the drive shaft of the gas engine to the blower. Furthermore, endless belts connect the drive shaft of the gas engine to the air compressor, the electric generator, and the water pump. The gas engine drives the blower, the air compressor, the electric generator, and the water pump, for selective configuration and use for carpet cleaning, pressure washing, air duct cleaning and inspection, portable welding, moisture abatement and other building maintenance and repair services.

Abstract: Disclosed is a soil collection receptacle attaching/detaching apparatus for a cyclone vacuum cleaner, which allows only a soil collection receptacle to be attached to or detached from a cyclone unit that includes a cyclone body as well as the soil collection receptacle, in which the cyclone unit is installed in an accommodation recess provided in a cleaner body, so that the soils in the soil collection receptacle can be conveniently dumped. Also disclosed is a cyclone vacuum cleaner provided with the soil collection receptacle attaching/detaching apparatus.

Abstract: In a hinge connector including a shaft member and a flexible board coupled thereto, the shaft member has a first shaft extending in a first direction and a second shaft extending from the first shaft in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The flexible board has first and second winding portions which are wound around the first and the second shafts, respectively.

Abstract: A swivel structure having direction indication is described. The swivel structure includes a first swivel base and a second swivel base. The first swivel base has at least a window and the second swivel base has at least a first direction indication mark and at least a second direction indication mark. The first swivel base and the second swivel base have a first fixed position state and a second fixed position state. The first fixed position state and the second fixed position state switch to each other by swiveling. When in the first fixed position state, the first direction indication marks are shown through the windows and indicate the direction toward the second fixed position state. When in the second fixed position state, the second direction indication marks are shown through the windows and indicate the direction toward the first fixed position state.

Abstract: A grab handle and bezel assembly includes a bezel and a grab handle capable of being received within the bezel. The grab handle is generally non-circular in cross section for properly locating the grab handle within the bezel and for preventing rotation of the grab handle. For example, the grab handle can be D-shaped in cross section having an arcuate surface portion defining a Class “A” surface that is visible to an occupant, and a flat surface portion defining a Class “B” surface that is not visible to the occupant. In this manner, an amount of Class “A” surface treatment of the grab handle can be minimized, thereby reducing the cost of the grab handle and bezel assembly. The grab handle and bezel assembly can securely mounted to a trim component, such as a door bolster, by disposing opposite ends of the grab handle between opposing walls of the bezel and passing a fastener through the door bolster, the bezel and the grab handle.

Abstract: The stabilizer apparatus for a power head attachment for rotationally powered tools in which a housing supports a stabilizer apparatus including a stabilizer collar rotatable to selected positions relative to the input shaft of the head attachment and a stabilizer arm pivotally mounted on the collar for movement to selected angular positions relative to the axis of the input shaft between a plurality of locked positions and a single unlocked position. In the unlocked position of the arm, the collar can be rotated to various circumferential positions and in each one of the positions the stabilizer arm can be located at a selected one of multiple angular positions which also lock the arm and collar in a fixed position making possible many combinations of positions of the stabilizer arm relative to the power head of the tool.

Abstract: A device is provided for the fastening, quick unfastening, safety release and adjustment of straps for the handles of walking sticks, ski poles, hiking canes and the like. The device includes a buckle (2), on which are wound the strap (3) and a wedge (4), firmly fixed, in an integral manner, near to one of the two end portions (6) of the strap. The device is characterized by the special configuration of the buckle (2), as well as of the quick unfastening and safety features.

Abstract: An appliance is provided for terminating high temperature conductors. The appliance includes a clevis member, a first set of aluminum elongate helically formed reinforcement members, and first and second U-shaped dead-end members having leg portions formed of an aluminum material and an aluminum-coated metal material, respectively. The reinforcement members and first and second dead end members are applied to the associated conductor in a layered relationship in a manner to establish a phase ordering of aluminum alloy and aluminum covered steel wire materials over the circumference of the conductor. The combination of aluminum alloy and aluminum coated steel wire materials provides desired strength while maintaining an operating temperature of the appliance lower than an operating temperature of the associated conductor.

Abstract: A method of sealing the join between two tapes to which the teeth of a waterproof zip are attached and two edges of a garment composed of a first or waterproof layer and a second or fabric layer, which comprises: a) applying to a first side of each tape, a strip of heat-weldable textile material attached to it, by at least one weld line, such that each strip comprises a first and a second flap; b) welding the edge of the first layer to one face of the flap furthest from the teeth; c) attaching the edge of the second layer to the second side of each tape; d) folding down the flap nearest to the teeth of the zip; and e) forming another weld that hermetically joins the outline of the outer edges of the flap to the corresponding tape around the area.

Abstract: Cremation urns for storing and displaying cremated remains, including methods of forming such devices, are disclosed. A cremation urn in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may include an urn assembly coupled to an extending below a mineral slab. The urn assembly may include a container body, neck portion, and lid that together can be used to store human or animal cremated remains. A display stand including a number of support legs can be used to support the mineral slab in an upright and angled position, if desired.

Abstract: A combination memorial and storage urn for cremated remains is disclosed, and may include a separate container/support and a pedestal for displaying the memorial.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a soft feeling, aesthetically pleasing, and form-fitting disposable nonwoven undergarment for men, women, and youths, and optionally comprises a protective panel for those individuals with mild incontinence conditions. It is the object of the present invention to provide a comfortable, durable disposable undergarment by forming the undergarment of a three-dimensionally imaged nonwoven fabric. The present invention discloses an assortment of durable, disposable undergarments capable of meeting the needs of the general public, and specifically, to subsets of the population such as travelers, athletes, medical personnel and patients, for which routine care of conventional undergarments is inconvenient or unavailable.