Abstract: A stab-resistant insert (10) for protective textile comprises: at least one metal layer of a fabric of metal wires or metal cords (12); at least one textile layer (14, 16) The textile layer is in contact with and is connected to the metal layer. The textile layer comprises a non-woven material (14, 16) The stab-resistant insert combines a high level of stab-resistance with a high degree of comfort.

Abstract: A vest is provided that may be quickly and easily removed from a wearer of the vest. The vest includes a waist belt, an optional cummerbund, and shoulder straps which may be easily released from the vest by the use of a flexible retainer in cooperation with a connector device which secures the waist belt, optional cummerbund and shoulder straps to the vest in a releasable manner. A cable portion of the retainer moves in a generally straight line except for accommodating curved portions of the body of the wearer. An accessory pouch may also be provided which uses a strap and loop arrangement on the vest and pouch to attach the accessory pouch to the vest.

Abstract: An ear warmer comprises a set of membranes and a frame. The set of membranes collectively defines an outer perimeter. The set of membranes is attached along the outer perimeter to define an attachment portion. The attachment portion is entirely disposed within an interior of the set of membranes.

Abstract: A garment generally includes a badge that can accessible from an interior of the garment and visible from an exterior of the garment. The garment includes a flap portion formed from a portion of the garment. The flap portion is folded over to form an edge that defines at least a portion of a hole formed in the garment. The garment also includes a generally transparent badge holder having a pocket operable to receive the badge. A fastener attaches the badge holder to the interior of the garment. The badge holder is attached to an interior surface of the garment so that the hole in the garment is disposed on a surface of the badge holder that is opposite the pocket.

Abstract: A cover for decorating a motorcycle helmet, including a substantially circular exterior material portion, having variable decoration, connected anteriorly and at the sides to a substantially circular interior mesh material portion by a seam. The enclosure provides two openings on either side of the invention, providing spaces through which the helmet's chinstraps can be threaded through. The seam ends in the posterior of the enclosure to provide an opening in the back of the invention through which the helmet may be inserted. Both pieces of fabric provide corresponding non-permanent fastening agents which are used to secure the invention around the helmet inserted inside.

Abstract: A Karate Cap is disclosed for use as both a head cover and as a defense weapon. The Karate Cap has a visor with an outer edge. A crown has a center point and an outer edge. The visor is secured to the crown along a portion of the outer edge and extends from the crown. The crown has an inner surface and an outer surface. An impact disk is mounted generally at the center point on the outside surface of the crown and the impact disk being circular and made from a hard dense material with a diameter in the range of three quarters of an inch to one and a quarter inches and with a thickness in the range of three sixteenths of an inch to five sixteenths of an inch. An outer disk cover is located over the impact disk opposite from the outside surface of the crown. The outer disk cover is circular. An inner disk cover is located on the inside surface of the crown. The inner disk cover is circular. The inner disk cover is secured to the inside surface of the crown.

Abstract: The ventilation tube and system of the present invention comprises a ventilation pipe designed to properly aerate drainage systems and prevents overflow of system fluids into the atmosphere or onto the ground.

Abstract: A retainer system and method of preventing lateral movement of a toilet seat in relation to a toilet bowl are disclosed. A retainer article having a base portion and an extender portion extending from the base portion is fastened to the underside of a toilet seat with a set of hook and loop fabric fastener materials comprising a hook piece and a loop piece.

Abstract: A training potty in combination with a potty liner. The liner has a multiple of accordion-type folds therein to accommodate differently sized potties. The liner has an upper collar to overlap an upper rim of the potty. The collar may be of a flat construction or may have accordion folds therein. The material of the liner is of the same quality is the toilet seat covers. The material is coated with polyvinyl alcohol to create a polymeric film having hydrolytic degradability additives that allow the soluble material to dissolve only when exposed to water. The biodegradable material, thus used, prevents any plumbing blockage.

Abstract: A water fountain—swimming pool combination comprises a water fountain assembly and a water pump assembly. The water fountain assembly comprises a plurality of fountain water outlets interconnected by a common conduit, which common conduit and which water outlets are mountable in adjacency to an upper pool periphery. The water outlets are preferably equally spaced and positionable for directing discharging water toward a central pool region or elsewhere as the user may elect. The water pump assembly comprises a water pump and certain pump conduit for directing pumped water into the swimming pool to enhance the user's enjoyment thereof. The pump conduit comprises fountain-directed conduit and pool-directed conduit, each of which comprise conduit valves for enabling a user to selectively direct pumped water therethrough for selectively discharging pumped water either through a pool water inlet or through any number of fountain water outlets.

Abstract: An improved automated spa cover lifting device and thermally efficient, foldable spa cover, the lifting device having a motorized expandable and retractable strut attachable to a spa housing and to at least one of two pivotal side arms that connect or support a folded spa cover to the spa housing during displacement with the preferred spa cover having a bevel at the fold to improve the thermal efficiency of the cover.

Abstract: The novel enhanced pool safety device of the present disclosure increases safety around pools and prevents unnecessary drowning. The apparatus is disposed in a pool drain system and had been at least one blade connected to an axle and moved by the suction force provided by the filter system. As water moves from a pool to an intake duct via a drain, the combination of moving water and vacuum force turns blades, which cut foreign materials, such as hair, that comes through the drain grating. The cutting of these materials prevents loss of life that may arise as humans and other objects become entangled in pool drains.

Abstract: A portable shower device having a water tight cabinet with a built-in seat to accommodate a bather, an inflow means to direct water from a water source onto the bather, and a waste handling means to direct waste water out of the cabinet for disposal. The device is light weight and small enough such that a single person can maneuver it through standard residential doorways and into such areas for convenient use by persons with limited mobility.

Abstract: A booth (2) for accommodating a person, the booth (2) defining a booth volume (4) and comprising: a base portion (6) and a top portion (8); flow means (18) for causing a downward airflow within the booth (2); projecting means (22) for projecting product into at least some of the booth volume (4) within the booth (2) and, in use, onto a body of a person positioned in the booth (2); and control means (90) for controlling the projection of the product.

Abstract: A patient-supporting panel is provided that includes (a) a support part for supporting a patient; (b) a connecting member for connecting the patient-supporting panel to a carrier unit, and (c) a pivoting mechanism for pivoting the support part about at least one pivot axis oriented parallel or perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the patient-supporting panel. Patient supporting systems and operating tables that include the patient-supporting panel are also provided.

Abstract: In a patient bed system, comprising a patient bed, a support column for supporting the bed and a trolley for transporting the bed, the bed having arranged on it first coupling elements (22) which are intended for selective connection to second or third coupling elements (24, 26) on the support column and on the trolley respectively, at least one of the coupling elements (24) located on the support-column side has provided on it at least one sensor (102) for sensing the position of a first coupling element (22) connected to the bed (18) in relation to the column-side coupling element (24), the sensor (102) taking effect when the bed is located on the trolley and the latter assumes in relation to the support column a specific position for transferring the bed onto the latter.

Abstract: In a patient bed system, comprising a patient bed, a support column for supporting the bed and a trolley for transporting the bed, the bed having arranged on it first coupling elements (22) which are intended for selective connection to second or third coupling elements (24, 26) on the support column and on the trolley respectively, the first coupling elements (22) have in each case an outer contour (38) and a clearance (40) with an inner contour (42), the second or the third coupling elements (24, 26) being designed in each case as guide tenons which have an outer contour (58) adapted to the inner contour (42) of the clearance (40) of the first coupling elements (22) and which are intended for engagement into the clearance (40), and the third or the second coupling elements (26, 24) having in each case a clearance intended for receiving a first coupling element (22) and having an inner contour (50) adapted to the outer contour (38) of the first coupling elements (22).

Abstract: In an operating table comprising a table column (10) with a column foot (14) and with a column head (16) and also a patient bed (12) which is connectable to the column head (16) and which is pivotable in relation to the table column (10) about at least one axis parallel to the bed plane, the column head (16) has provided on it a guide track (42) which is curved continuously about an axis of curvature and on which a saddle coupleable to the bed (12) is mounted such that it can be adjusted along the guide track (42) by means of a saddle drive.

Abstract: A device (24) for adjusting an operating table 10 having a column 12 on which an adjustable bed 16 is to be fastened releasably is shown. The device comprises an operating implement 26 for the input of adjustment commands for adjusting the operating table 10. The device 24 comprises means 20, 28 for the direct transmission of the adjustment commands from the operating implement 26 to the adjustable bed 16.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a hospital bed is mounted on an undercarriage of the bed. The locking mechanism includes a locking pedal and an unlocking pedal, which are side-by-side one another on the undercarriage. To lock the bed in position to prevent it from rolling, one depresses the locking pedal which, through a mechanical linkage, moves a brake member having a brake pad vertically downward into contact with the floor beneath the bed, and locks the brake pad into that position. By depressing the unlocking pedal, the mechanical linkage is pulled in the opposite direction to raise the brake member and brake pad from the floor, thereby unlocking the bed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a braking system for a positioner unit in a medical imaging apparatus includes a first brake coupled to a drive unit that is configured to drive the positioner unit along an axis susceptible to influence of gravity. A second brake is coupled to the positioner unit, and configured for operating independently of the first brake. Examples of positioner unit include a patient cradle in a patient support table, and a C-arm and a pivot in a vascular gantry.

Abstract: In a patient bed for an operating table, comprising a plurality of bed portions (18, 32, 70, 72), of which a middle portion (18) is designed for connection to the supporting column of the operating table and which are coupled releasably to one another via interfaces (30, 68), at least one bed portion (70, 72) being adjustable in relation to an adjacent bed portion (32) in the region of an interface (68), the middle portion (18) of the bed (16) is connectable at at least one of its ends, via a first interface (30), to the one end of an intermediate portion (32) which is connectable at its other end, via a second interface (68), to a further bed portion (70, 72), the first interface (30) having two first coupling elements (34, 36) which engage positively one in the other for a rigid connection and which have transmission elements coming into contact with one another during interengagement and intended for the transmission of signals and/or energy, and the second interface (68) comprising two second coupling ele

Abstract: The present invention is an organizational kit designed to help anesthesiologists when providing anesthesia during major surgery such as heart, thoracic, major vascular, and/or major abdominal. The invention helps the anesthesiologist organize the different intravenous and arterial lines, catheters, monitoring cables, pressure transducers and other devices coming from or going to the patient. It also serves as an educational tool for new anesthesia students, residents, fellows and new graduate anesthesiologists to help them understand how to connect the different ports coming out from the distal end of a Swan-Ganz catheter to their matching cables, monitor lines and transducers. The invention may serve as a reference for the doses and methods of administering common drugs used by the anesthesiologist intraoperatively. The invention also helps the practitioner set up the different modes of a pacemaker machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved down pillow made from two down pillow sections sewn together along their respective edges to form an interior pocket or chamber for receiving a foam insert to provide rigidity and shape to the down pillow. The interior chamber is closed by zippers. The down pillow and foam insert may be of any shape. In alternate embodiments, instead of down material, the pillow may be formed from polyester, feathers, or the like.

Abstract: A lateral confinement device for use in children's bed comprising a pair of units each consisting of a lateral mound and each mound having a blanketing part extending therefrom. In use, these blanketing parts overlap so as to adjust for width and, most importantly, the child sleeps on top of both blanketing parts so that its own weight holds the mounds at the selected distance. Additionally, hook and loop means insure that the position is maintained when the child is not in bed or during ingresses and egresses or when changing bedsheets and such.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mattress, preferably used as a sleeping mattress, comprising a core (1) made of foam material, air-filled pressure cushions (5), and a top support area (3) and a bottom support area (4) made of particularly air-permeable material. Said mattress also comprises a plurality of through holes (6, 6a) that provide optimal air permeability and thus allow moisture which is secreted by the body to be conveyed away from the body and through the mattress. The inventive mattress also provides particularly great lying comfort while the pressure level thereof is adapted to the body zones and can be individually adjusted to the needs of the person lying thereupon even when said needs are subjected to individual variations and changes. Said mattress has a low weight and is free from metallic and electronic components. An integrated system encompassing pressure control valves and a pneumatic pump allows leakage losses to be compensated while increasing the pressure resistance.

Abstract: The heated air mattress includes an inflatable air mattress, a cover and a heating pad. The cover is joined to a top surface of the inflatable air mattress to form a pocket for receiving the heating pad. The inflatable air mattress includes a cavity for receiving a portable air pump, which may be carried with the air mattress for inflating the inflatable air mattress, and further includes an air valve for selective inflation and deflation of the inflatable air mattress. The inflatable air mattress has lateral recesses for receiving a wheel well compartment of a vehicle flatbed, allowing the air mattress to be mounted in a vehicle flatbed, such as in the rear of a pickup truck or sports utility vehicle. The lateral recesses may be releasably filled with filler members, allowing the mattress to be stably supported on a floor or on the ground.

Abstract: Leathers are produced by a process wherein pelts, pickled pelts or semifinished products are treated with at least one polymer which is obtainable by copolymerizing (A) at least one ethylenically unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid of 3 to 8 carbon atoms or at least one anhydride derived from a mono- or dicarboxylic acid of 3 to 8 carbon atoms, (B) at least one vinylaromatic compound, (C) at least one alkoxylated unsaturated ether of the formula I (D) optionally further monoethylenically unsaturated monomers, where, in formula 1, the variables are defined as follows: R1, R2 and R3 are identical or different and are selected from C1-C4-alkyl and hydrogen; R4 and R5 are in each case identical or different and are selected from C1-C4-alkyl and hydrogen; R6 is selected from hydrogen, SO3M, PO3M2, C1-C30-alkyl, CO—H (formyl), CO—C1-C20-alkyl and CO—C6-C14-aryl, M is an alkali metal or NH4+ or CH3, n is an integer from 3 to 100 and y is an integer from 0 to 10.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus of applying ultrasound energy in wet treatment of textiles, particularly in a dyeing process. By keeping the articles to be dyed within an optimal zone of the sonoreactor, the method achieves a high dyeing efficiency, making it possible to dye at a low temperature, with little or no use of chemical assistants while achieve a dyeing quality comparable with conventional dyeing method relying on high temperatures and/or use of chemical assistants. The apparatus suitable for practicing the method uses a conveyor belt having two layers of meshes between the articles to be dyed are sandwiched exerting no tension on the articles. The conveyor belt can be configured to travel within the optimal zone of the sonoreactor, whereby constraining the articles under dyeing within the optimal zone. With such a conveyor belt, small pieces of articles can be dyed just as easily as the large ones.

Abstract: A process for improving the sun protection factor (SPF) of cellulosic fibre materials and blends thereof, which comprises contacting said materials with at least one compound of the formula (1) in which M is hydrogen, an alkali metal atom, ammonium or a cation formed from an amine; R1 and R1? independently of each other are —NH—R3, —N(R3)2 or —O—R3, wherein R3 is aryl substituted by —CO—X—R5, wherein X is O or NH and R5 is optionally substituted C1-C4-alkyl, R2 is a group of formula —O—R4 wherein R4 is hydroxy alkyl, alkoxy alkyl or hydroxy alkoxy alkyl, and R2? has the meaning of R1 or R2.

Abstract: Methods for laundering a textile wash load in a washing apparatus comprising the steps of pre-treating a textile wash load using methods that include a detection step selected from an airlock detection step, a water log detection step and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A washing and rinsing method in a washer is disclosed, by which a washing power is raised by rotating a drum irregularly to enable a laundry and water to move in a disordered pattern. The present invention includes a referential rotational speed setting step of setting a referential rotational speed of a drum having a laundry accommodated therein to perform a washing or rinsing on the laundry, an actual rotational speed setting step of setting an actual rotational speed within a range having a prescribed variation from the referential rotational speed set by the referential rotational speed setting step, and a drum rotating step of rotating the drum according to the actual rotational speed if the actual rotational speed is set by the actual rotational speed setting step.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling standby power of a washing machine, which is located in a remote place and can be remotely controlled by a user, is provided. The apparatus includes a communication unit, a power supply, and a controller. The communication unit performs data communication with a monitoring device that performs remote control and monitoring of the washing machine. The power supply supplies needed power to the washing machine. When a wash cycle is terminated or a power-off command is input during data communication with the monitoring device through the communication unit, the controller determines whether to supply main power to the washing machine according to a user setting and controls the power supply according to the determination. The user can set whether to supply main power when a wash cycle has been terminated or a power-off command has been input, achieving easy and efficient standby power control.

Abstract: A process for styling dyed hair fibers in a manner which inhibits subsequent color loss during shampooing involving contacting the dyed hair fibers with a composition containing: (a) at least one polyamine compound having at least two amino groups; (b) at least one anionic silicone; (c) at least one film-forming polymer; and (d) optionally, at least one surfactant, and wherein (a) is present in the composition in an amount sufficient to inhibit color loss during shampooing.

Abstract: A composition, kit and process for dyeing hair fibers in a manner which inhibits color loss during subsequent shampooing involving contacting the hair fibers with a composition containing: (a) at least one polyamine having at least two amino groups; (b) at least one anionic silicone; and (c) at least one dye component chosen from a direct dye and an oxidation dye, and wherein the dyed hair fibers inhibit color loss resulting from subsequent shampooing of the dyed hair fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hair care compositions comprising chelants and methods for reducing oxidative hair damage. The compositions contribute to reducing the oxidative damage sustained by keratinous fibers such as human hair during bleaching, dyeing, perming or other oxidative treatments. The compositions according to the present invention also provide excellent color evenness and color fastness.

Abstract: A process for indigo dyeing of wool and wool blends comprising the steps of subjecting the wool and wool blends to a step of pretreatment by impregnation with a shrink resistance agent, subjecting the pretreated wool and wool blend yarns to the step of indigo dyeing and post dyeing, wherein the step of dyeing and post dyeing includes a single step or a plurality of steps of impregnation of the pretreated wool and wool blends in an indigo dye bath followed each time by the step of oxidation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of dyeing polymeric substrates having pendent carboxyl groups, especially polyamides. The method comprises applying to a substrate a reactive dye solution and heating the substrate in the presence of a magnesium donor at a pH of greater than 9.0, such that the reactive dye forms a covalent bond with the carboxyl groups on the substrate. A dye composition for dyeing a polymeric substrates having pendent carboxyl groups is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disperse dyes of the general formula (I) where D is a diazo component derived from a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic amine, K is an aromatic radical of the formula and the substituents are each as defined in the first claim. Further described are the preparation and the use of the dyes according to the invention.

Abstract: The Object of the invention as a seal for aircraft boarding stairs or for an aircraft boarding bridge, said seal comprising a U-shaped bellows (5) spanning a gangway bottom plate (10), said bellows (5) comprising a flexible frame (3) at its one open end, said flexible frame having a bumper (4) made from an elastically resilient material, whereby the bellows (5) is separable.

Abstract: A portable vacuuming device for underwater removal of leaves or the like from pool bottoms and other structural surfaces, the device employing a water pump to feed a water jet within a suction cavity wherein the water inlet for the pump is exterior to the cavity and to the housing of the device.

Abstract: A light weight floor sweeper has a sweeper head mounted to an elongated handle by means of a universal pivot or universal joint which allows the floor sweeper head to easily pivot about the handle in any direction to pick up debris under over hanging cabinets or under furniture. The floor sweeper has sweeping brushes mounted around all four sides of the sweeper head to provide sweeping action when the sweeper is moved in any direction. There are corner brushes extending out from the sides of the sweeper head that reach into corners to sweep debris toward the main sweeping brushes. All of the brushes are powered by a small electric motor that drives the brushes to direct the debris into a dust-receiving tray in the sweeper head. A gasket arrangement keeps dust and debris out of the gear housings located at each of the corners of the sweeper head regardless of the direction in which the sweeper head is moving.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for cleaning carpets, upholstered surfaces, and other surfaces is disclosed, the apparatus and method utilizing a combination of vibratory motion, controllable heat, and cleaning agents, the apparatus comprising a base plate, heating elements with electrical connections, and means for moving the base plate to produce a scrubbing motion, the method comprising a replaceable cleaning implement in combination with a mechanical scrubber, a cleaning agent, and controllable heat.

Abstract: A cleaning substrate (1) comprising an absorbent layer (2); a surface layer (3) comprising a macro-apertured laminate (31) of a thermoplastic formed film (32) and a nonwoven layer (33); wherein said thermoplastic formed film (32) is in direct contact with said absorbent layer (2), and said macro-apertured laminate (31) has a thickness (35) of from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for washing and disinfecting a medical instrument with a duct. The apparatus comprises an accommodating member on which the medical instrument is accommodated and a bath member providing a washing bath in which the accommodating member is placed. The apparatus further comprises a washing unit washing at least the duct of the medical instrument accommodated on the accommodating member and placed in the washing bath and a brushing unit detachably mounted on the bath member and formed to have a brush brushing an inside of the duct when the endoscope is washed and disinfected by the washing unit.

Abstract: The present invention features a cleaning implement, such as a mop, that may be used for cleaning a floor. The mop of the invention typically includes a mop head and a handle pivotally connected to the mop head. The mop head also includes means for securing a mop media, typically a flexible disposable cleaning sheet, to the mop head. The mop may be passed over the floor with one side of the cleaning sheet presented for cleaning the floor. The mop head may then be inverted with the other side of the cleaning sheet presented for further cleaning of the floor.

Abstract: A shoe shine device includes cylindrical housing sized to fit into a purse or briefcase. A sheet of pliable material suitable for shining shoes can be selectively withdrawn from the housing. After use, the sheet is automatically retracted into the housing.

Abstract: Disposable cleaning sheets for removing debris from a surface comprise a substrate and a plurality of protrusions affixed to the substrate. The cleaning sheets of the present invention have one or more of the following characteristics: (a) “Protrusion Flexibility” of at least about 0.5 grams, preferably from about 1 to about 200 grams, and more preferably from about 5 to about 70 grams; (b) “Glide Resistance” of less than about 1200 grams, preferably from about 25 to about 950 grams, and more preferably from about 200 to about 750 grams; (c) “Hair Capture Efficiency” of at least about 10%, preferably at least about 30%, and more preferably at least about 60%; and/or (d) “Sheet Capacity” of from about 0.2 to about 20 grams, preferably from about 0.5 to about 10 grams, and more preferably from about 0.75 to about 5 grams.

Abstract: Cleaning sheets comprise an additive that is selected to enhance the pick up and retention of particulate material from surfaces, while minimizing the amount of residue left on the surface being cleaned. If the type of additive and level of additive on the cleaning sheet are not carefully selected, the sheet will leave a residue on the surface being cleaned resulting in filming and streaking of the surface that is unacceptable to consumers. The additive is preferably selected from the group consisting of a wax, an oil, and mixtures thereof. Cleaning implements comprise a mop head having a resilient bottom surface, a portion of which preferably has a substantially smooth curved profile or crown which engages a removable cleaning sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning clipped hair proximate to the chair of a barber or stylist comprising a pivotable brush attached to the bottom of the chair, said brush having a retracted and extended position; said extended position extending parallel to the floor such that the brush rotates 360 degrees and cleans hair that has fallen on the floor.