Abstract: A variety of the Cactaceae family produced in a controlled hybridization ‘Elise’. The variety possesses the desirable characteristics of: a strong growth habit with erect stems; a red colored bloom; relatively large flowers; a strong propensity to branch with minimal pruning; and flowers that stay open for as long as two weeks.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Dianthus plant named ‘DEVON ESTHER’ that is characterized by pronounced compact habit, grey-green foliage, and soft magenta flowers. In combination these traits set ‘DEVON ESTHER’ apart from all other existing varieties of Dianthus known to the inventor.

Abstract: A new Clematis cultivar which produces attractive violet flowers. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

Abstract: A new and distinct peach variety of Prunus persica named ‘NJ351’ is provided. This variety is distinguished from other peach varieties by its unique combination of nonshowy flowers, fruit that ripen in late-midseason, attractively blushed fruit with a bright golden-yellow ground color, freestone fruit with a juicy, nearly nonmelting texture and sweet, low acid flavor, firm fruit that retain their firmness well and trees with regular, heavy production of fruit.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Fittonia plant named ‘Pink Diamond’ that is characterized by dark pink leaf veins, wavy green leaf margins and broad ovate to elliptic leaves.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of grapevine which is characterized by producing a large, bright purple to dark purple-skinned, seedless grape, is described.

Abstract: A new and distinct Vriesea plant named ‘Stream’ characterized as a funnel form rosette plant, measuring about 45 cm in height and 35 cm to 45 cm in diameter and produces compound, red, bipinate spike inflorescence, measuring 16 cm to 26 cm in height, about 2 to 8 branches, measuring about 10 cm to 16 cm in length and about 3.5 cm to 5.5 cm in width, and medium green foliage, measuring about 15 cm to 25 cm in length and about 4.5 cm to 5.0 cm in width.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Libertia named ‘NNGF2’ that is characterized by compact fan-shaped clumping habit, golden-yellow foliage, and white star-like flowers. In combination these traits set ‘NNGF2’ apart from all other existing varieties of Libertia known to the inventor.

Abstract: A new petunia plant particularly distinguished by medium-size, single, pink flowers with red-purple venation, abundant branching with a great profusion of blooms, excellent tolerance to low temperatures, and a compact, mounding growth habit is disclosed.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Salvia plant named ‘Sensation Rose’, characterized by its upright, somewhat outwardly spreading and compact plant habit; freely branching habit; freely flowering habit; red purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant named ‘PER8603’, characterized by its uniform, upright, outwardly spreading and mounded plant habit; freely branching habit; dark green-colored leaves; late season flowering response; inflorescences with pink and creamy white bi-colored flower bracts; and excellent post-production longevity.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant named ‘PER2004’, characterized by its uniform, upright and mounded plant habit; freely branching habit; recurved dark green-colored leaves; mid-season flowering response; inflorescences with pink and creamy white bi-colored flower bracts that are recurved; and excellent post-production longevity.

Abstract: A new and distinct Penstemon plant characterized by purple flowers on numerous, very short, flowering stems, and with a compact habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Helenium plant named ‘Ruby Tuesday’, characterized by its upright, somewhat outwardly spreading and uniform plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely flowering habit; inflorescences with dark red-colored ray florets; and strong peduncles that hold the inflorescences above the foliar plane.

Abstract: A new and distinct Vriesea plant named ‘Energy’ characterized as funnel form rosette plant, measuring about 35 cm in height and about 35 cm in diameter and produces compound, yellow, bipinate spike inflorescence, measuring 15 to 20 cm in height, about 2 to 4 branches, measuring about 10 cm to 12 cm in length and 4 cm to 4.5 cm in width, and green foliage, measuring 10 cm to 35 cm in length and about 3.5 cm in width.

Abstract: A new campanula plant particularly distinguished by small to medium-sized blue-violet, bell-shaped flowers, floriferous with the flowers borne well-above the foliage, an early flowering response, deep green and slightly glossy foliage with small, cordate leaves, a compact, well-branched growth habit and a mainly tight and bushy to later partly decumbent plant habit, is disclosed.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Gaura plant, substantially as herein illustrated and described, characterized particularly as to novelty by a well-branched, compact habit, continuous flowering, white flowers with a pink edge, green foliage and early to flower.

Abstract: A new distinct cultivar of dogwood, Cornus florida L., named ‘Appalachian Joy’, is provided. This cultivar is characterized by resistance to powdery mildew, which is superior to most other cultivars of flowering dogwood and similar to ‘Karen's Appalachian Blush’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,165 P2), ‘Kay's Appalachian Mist’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,098 P2) and ‘Jean's Appalachian Snow’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,099 P2). It also is characterized by producing supernumerary (multiple [4-8]) bracts.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Nemesia plant named ‘FLEURCEL’ that is characterized by compact upright habit, large cerise-red flowers, and green foliage. In combination these characteristics set ‘FLEURCEL’ apart from all other existing varieties of Nemesia known to the inventor.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Lobelia plant named ‘Lobmounwi’ characterized by its upright plant habit, strong branching, large flower size and white flower color.

Abstract: A new Impatiens plant, characterised particularly as to novelty by an upright habit, freely branching, with large, double, salmon orange flowers, flowering above the foliage.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘Ingmulros’ characterized by its small light red colored flowers with a dark spot in the center, very early flowering and very floriferous, with small foliage, good heat tolerance, nice spreading growth habit with excellent basal branching and good vigor.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Lavandula plant named ‘SUGARBERRY RUFFLES’ that is characterized by early and repeat flowering, dense plant habit, short peduncle length, and fragrant flower spikes with medium length sterile bracts that are mid-pink in color. In combination these traits set ‘SUGARBERRY RUFFLES’ apart from all other existing varieties of Lavandula known to the inventor.

Abstract: A new and distinct Osteospermum plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by medium size daisy type inflorescences, freely flowering under outdoor growing conditions with continuous blooming from spring through autumn, creamy white ray florets, and gray-orange disc florets with a gray-green center.

Abstract: A new and distinct Osteospermum plant cultivar is disclosed, characterized by large daisy type inflorescences, freely flowering under outdoor growing conditions with continuous blooming from spring through autumn, pale purple ray florets with a dark violet base, and dark blue disc florets.

Abstract: A segmental retaining wall system comprising a plurality of wall blocks. Each wall block comprises an interior face for forming an interior surface of a segmental retaining wall, an exterior face for forming an exterior surface of the segmental retaining wall, first and second sides that extend from said exterior face to said interior face, a top surface, and a bottom surface. In addition, a plurality of wall blocks include apparatus for retaining a reinforcement member to the segmental retaining wall. In one arrangement, this apparatus comprises a channel that is defined by a front wall, a rear wall, and a channel bottom surface. This channel is provided in one of the faces and surfaces, and includes an inwardly extending shoulder.

Abstract: A device for insertion into a puncture in a tracheoesophageal wall includes a cylindrical body and a flexible first flange provided on an outside surface of the body. The flange has a use orientation in which it projects generally outwardly from the outside surface of the body and an insertion orientation in which it is resiliently folded toward the axis of the body. A retainer constructed of a material soluble in fluids present in the tracheoesophageal wall and esophagus retains the flange in its resiliently folded orientation.

Abstract: A finger guarding device, in combination a culinary finger guard plate, two finger guards upstanding from a side of the plate and having spacing therebetween to receive a user's middle finger to extend generally parallel to the plate, each finger guard having a finger retention portion overhanging the plate to provide adjustable spaces to receive the user's first and third fingers, between said overhang portion and the plate.

Abstract: A disposable, adhesively attachable knee-pad comprises a durable, impermeable outer casing, within which is contained a resilient padding layer, which is in turn bonded to a temporary adhesive layer. The knee-pad is attached to a pants leg by means of the temporary adhesive layer and is readily detachable without causing damage to or leaving residue on the pants fabric.

Abstract: A garmet has a hood with an inside front base and a pair of lower front hood portions each having upper and lower projections projecting toward the other lower front hood portion and a securing device connected to each of the projections for connecting the lower projections to each other across a user's face and respectively above and below the user's mouth so that a recess is defined of a size to expose the mouth. When the projections are connected to each other the user will not breath onto the lower front hood portions. A skull cap has a rear lower edge connected to the inside front base of the hood and sleeves with storable gloves can also be included as part of the garmet.

Abstract: An apparatus worn by a user for carrying a pet comprising a garment worn on a torso of the user having a pouch having a first open end attached on a first side of the garment wherein the pet is received through the open end and retained within the pouch.

Abstract: An conditioning system is shown for a helmet having an impact resistant body with an exterior, an interior which defines a head receiving cavity, a front region and having a back region which is located adjacent a lower edge of the helmet body. A first opening is provided in the helmet body located at the back region of the helmet body adjacent a lower edge thereof which acts as an air intake opening. A blower fan communicates with the air intake passage for drawing air into the intake passage and forcing the air from the back region of the helmet in the direction of the front region thereof. A thermoelectric cooling element is located in the helmet interior in communication with the intake passage downstream of the blower fan. The thermoelectric cooling element has a cold side and a hot side. A DC power source is provided for powering the thermoelectric cooling element.

Abstract: A headband for use in a headgear support includes a first end section having a plurality of spaced connectors and a second end section including a fastener attached adjacent the end thereof. The fastener includes a connecting member to which at least one cooperating connector is attached. The connecting member biases the cooperating connector in an engagement position with at least one of the plurality of connectors of the first end section to hold the headband in a selected loop configuration. The fastener further includes at least a first flexible release member.

Abstract: A pair of swimming/diving goggles includes a goggle body, a buckle, and a head strap. A wall delimiting a through-hole in the goggle body includes a pressing face. A pin is mounted to the buckle. An end of the head strap extends through the through-hole, a gap between the pin and an inner face of the buckle, and then extending through the through-hole again. When an outer portion of the head strap is pulled and then released, a clamping force provided by an inner portion of the head strap moves the pin to a position in which the head strap is tightly clamped between the pin and the pressing face. When the buckle is moved toward an inner end of the through-hole, a gap between the pin and the pressing face becomes larger to allow loosening of the head strap.

Abstract: An athletic cup that is convertible from a hard cup configuration to a soft cup configuration. The hard cup configuration can be used for contact sports or ball sports where maximum protection is needed. The cup can be converted to the soft cup configuration for non-contact sports where a lesser degree of protection is adequate. The cup comprises a hard cup and a soft cup that are detachably connected to each other to form the hard cup configuration. To convert to the soft cup configuration, the hard cup is detached and the soft cup is worn by itself.

Abstract: The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a water circulator that connects to the pressurized water inlet in a swimming pool. Water from the pool is pumped through the pool's filter system and into the water circulator through the pool inlet. The water circulator includes a jet tube that is vertically oriented and proximate to the pool's side wall. The pressurized water exits the jet tube through several nozzles in the jet tube. The nozzles direct the pressurized water along the side wall to thereby direct debris toward the pool outlet. The pool outlet carries the debris and water to the pool's filter system. The nozzles direct the water away from the pool outlet so that the water current travels along the majority of the side wall before reaching the pool outlet. Thus, more debris may be picked up in the current and slower moving water passes the pool outlet. The jet tube further includes one or more outlets proximate to the pool floor.

Abstract: A method of constructing shower enclosure support structures which decreases the probability of mold growth by utilizing interior and/or exterior corner directional flow flashings between the joints of the sheets of synthetic marble, tile or other porous or non-porous material which cover the interior of the shower enclosure support structure and the material comprising the vertical walls of the shower enclosure support structure, a shower pan floor sloped downwardly toward the shower drain, a shower floor supported above the shower pan floor by spacers or mortar piers creating a void for air circulation between the shower floor and the shower pan floor, spacing between the shower floor periphery and the vertical walls of the shower pan to provide additional air circulation between the shower floor and the shower pan floor, shower enclosure support structure horizontal framing members that are sloped toward the shower drain, shower enclosure support structure horizontal framing members that are covered by the

Abstract: An adjustable mattress foundation comprises a lower frame, an upper frame, and a plurality of movable supports attached to the lower frame or the upper frame. The movable supports are adapted to maintain the upper and lower frames in spaced apart relation and are further adapted to permit vertical movement of the upper frame into a plurality of spaced apart relations relative to the lower frame.

Abstract: A tray is supported by a tubular frame residing between a mattress and box spring. The frame is a single continuous loop of tubing having a substantially horizontally residing supported portion, a vertical center portion, and a substantially horizontal tray support portion. The tray is rectangular with a raised edge and includes clips residing on a tray bottom to snap onto the frame.

Abstract: A patient support including a frame and a mattress supported by the frame. The frame includes a deck support and a deck supporting the mattress.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an inflatable knee pillow including a body having an outer fabric surface, and an inflation valve, wherein the body defines straps (preferably two pairs of straps) and encloses a bladder (an inflatable volume), and the inflation valve is in fluid communication with the bladder. When deflated, the pillow has a thin profile and can be folded into a compact configuration. The straps are releasably fastenable around a user's leg so as to position an inflatable portion of the pillow against the inside of the user's knee (for example, to cushion and separate the user's knees from each other while the user sleeps on his or her side with the pillow inflated). Preferably, the body includes two sheets of multilayer material shaped and attached together so as to define the straps and the bladder, and the pillow has releasable fasteners (e.g., hook-and-loop fasteners) defined by or attached to the straps.

Abstract: A support surface (10) is disclosed which includes a foam perimeter (18), a truncated-triangular shaped core (19), a foam topper (21), and a coverlet (22). The foam perimeter includes an interior well (25) defined by a floor (26), a top surface (27), and at least two diverging side walls (28). The core is comprised of a plurality of trapezoidal-shaped, inflatable air cells (31). Each air cell has a bottom wall (32), a top wall (33), two side walls (34), and two end walls (35). The ends walls diverge from each other as they extend from the bottom wall to the top wall so that each air cell has a generally trapezoidal shape along its lateral length.

Abstract: An air inflatable mattress and mattress coverlet are provided for the prevention and treatment of decubitus ulcers (i.e., pressure sores or bedsores). The mattress incorporates a user selectable static or alternating air powered support surface for more uniformly redistributing pressure exerted on a patient's skin. The mattress coverlet encompasses a low air loss feature independent of the mattress's user selectable air powered support surface. Such low air loss feature provides a patient contact surface exhibiting a high moisture vapor transfer ratio in conjunction with a forced air flow to aid in reducing the moisture and heat near the patient's body. Both the mattress and mattress coverlet are driven by an external control system which houses the user controls, as well as the necessary pumps, regulators, and valving.

Abstract: A tool device includes a number of tool members and enclosing members selectively attachable to either of two ends of a housing, a tool element slidably received in the housing and movable out through the enclosing member, and a moving device attached to the tool element for moving the tool element into and out of the housing or the enclosing member. A follower is slidably received in the housing and coupled to the tool element, and a knob is coupled to the follower for moving the follower and the tool element relative to the housing. A positioning device may position the tool element to the housing. An additional tool device may be selectively attached to the housing.

Abstract: An improved box beam bridge and a method of construction are disclosed. The box beam bridge comprises a plurality of box beams for each lane structure of the bridge. Each of these lane structures are separately secured together and post-tensioned by means of a composite material strand. The separate lane structures are then brought together to complete the bridge width, with an interstitial box beam placed between the separate lane structures. Once arranged together, the separate lane structures and integrated interstitial box beam are secured together and post-tensioned by a second composite material strand that runs the entire width of the bridge.

Abstract: A power toothbrush (10) is disclosed having a handle (15) containing a rechargeable battery (12), an ultrasonic drive circuit (14), a sonic component (16) such as a motor, and a control unit (18). The handle is connected to a toothbrush head (20) preferably having a plurality of bristles (26) and an ultrasonic transducer (22) that is operatively connected to a waveguide (24) that extends from the toothbrush head generally adjacent the bristles. The waveguide facilitates the transmission of acoustic energy into the dental fluid. It is contemplated that the waveguide may be utilized in manual or power toothbrushes, and in a combination without the sonic component, or in a combination without the ultrasonic transducer. Toothbrushes disclosed herein achieve improved plaque and stain removal from the teeth as well as interproximal and subgingival regions, while enhancing the user experience, massaging the gums, and stimulating dental tissue.

Abstract: The present invention thoroughly cleans hairbrushes and combs and comprises an upper portion with at least two openings for containing a hair remover and an item to be cleaned, a rotating roller brush, and a housing portion. The roller brush, together with the hair remover, effectively clean and remove hair from styling combs and brushes and prevent accumulated hair from impeding the cleaning action by removing it from the roller brush. The device is configured in a specialized concave crescent shape and the pattern of bristles on the roller brush are configured to optimize cleaning action on hairbrushes and styling combs.

Abstract: A polishing, buffing, compounding, and cleaning device incorporating rotary motion. The outer body of the invention includes two components. At least one of the components has a base and a plurality of projection members extending in a uniform direction away from the base. Projection members are spatially separated from one another, creating space in between each pair of adjacent projection members. At least one of the components is able to receive the projection members, thereby coupling the two components and forming the outer body. A plurality of extending material, such as disposable cloth or shop towels, is inserted in the empty space in between the projection members, such that both ends of each extending material extends radially from the central body. In one variation, the outer body is connected to rotary machinery, such as a drill, via a rotation rod extending from the outer body, to the rotary machinery, so as to provide rotary motion.

Abstract: A tabletop wood-waste-collecting machine includes a support frame, a machine base, a guide shade, a work faceplate and a dust-collecting unit. The machine base has its opposite upper side bored with plural transverse assistant guide grooves and its central portion bored with a longitudinal lower main guide groove communicating with a connecting opening in the front center. The guide shade covered on the lower main guide groove is formed with an upper guide groove. The work faceplate fixed on the topside of the machine base is bored with numerous wind-sucking vents. When the dust-collecting unit is started to operate, every wind-sucking vent of the work faceplate and the wind-sucking space in the machine base will receive a balanced suction force to let the wood waste produced completely sucked out.

Abstract: A hose connection assembly for a vacuum cleaner comprises a flexible hose having one end connected to the dust-collecting chamber, a hose holder connected to the other end of the flexible hose and removably connected to a connection part of the suction brush, and a handle mounted on the hose holder to assist in connecting and disconnecting the hose holder with respect to the connection part. A mounting portion having a circumferential bead is preferably formed on an outer circumference of the hose holder to mount the handle therein, and the handle is rotatably mounted on the mounting portion. The handle comprises a fixing portion shaped as a cylinder and is mounted on the mounting portion, and a holding portion protruding from one side of the fixing portion in a perpendicular direction, and the fixing portion has a larger diameter than the mounting portion, thereby providing rotatability about the mounting portion through 360°.