Abstract: A composite material comprising a multitude of masses and fibers supported on a flexible substrate arranged in a manner to absorb energy from a ballistic projectile and thereby protect persons or property from ballistic injury or damage. An array of small, tough disc-like masses are suspended in a three dimensional cradle of high-tensile elastomeric fibers such that energy from an incoming ballistic projectile is first imparted to one or more masses and the motion of the masses are restrained by tensile strain of elastomeric fibers substantially in the direction of travel of the incoming projectile. The projectile is eventually decelerated to harmless velocity through a combination of transfer of momentum to the masses and the elastic and plastic tensile deformation of the fibers.

Abstract: The invention is related to a personal protective equipment for a gaming machine. It mainly consists of a wrist guard, an elbow guard and a supportive belt assembly. It can be used either for wrist, elbow or both wrist and elbow at the same time. An enhancing strip is provided to stabilize the wrist band and the elbow support. A supportive strip is provided to connect and fix the distance between the wrist guard and the elbow guard. So the user will not loose or cause dislocation of the equipments during intensive movement and prevent the user from injury.

Abstract: A combination multiple person and wheelchair protective covering includes first and second coextensively shaped ponchos. Such first and second ponchos are formed from water repellant material such that precipitation is prohibited from penetrating therethrough. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for removably attaching the second poncho to the first poncho, a mechanism for adjusting each of the first and second ponchos about the user head and the caregiver head respectively, and a mechanism for simultaneously securing each of the first and second ponchos respectively about the user body and the caregiver body and the existing wheelchair respectively during operating conditions.

Abstract: The following information relates to new methods of recycling clothing. Although the concept of recycling garments is not new, the new methods and the results of those methods are both new and unexpected. Rarely is the recycling of garments as practical and as easy as the methods to be presented. Additionally, these methods of recycling can enable apparel manufacturers, sewing boutiques, and even home sewers, to save money and time. Benefits include sewing as little as possible while having the effect that much sewing has taken place. Another gain includes the prospect of recycling garments that failed quality control inspections due to slight imperfections. By utilizing the new methods, a marketable children's apparel line can emerge, from what would normally be a loss. Consider the benefits of a new children's apparel line almost completely sewn before the new recycling methods begin.

Abstract: This application relates to inflatable apparel. In particular, this application discusses systems and methods for providing apparel that is both selectively inflatable and adapted for use as a pillow. The inflatable apparel may include any clothing or object that is adapted to be worn by a person and is selectively inflatable so as to act a cushion for the person wearing the apparel or of another. The inflatable apparel comprises an apparel item, such as a necktie, and an inflatable bladder. In some cases, the necktie is made to receive and retain the bladder in an inflated position or a deflated position. The bladder extends through at least a portion of the necktie. Additionally, when inflated, the bladder provides a pillow or cushion for use by the individual wearing the inflated necktie, or for use by an individual other than the person wearing the necktie.

Abstract: Apparatus for restraining a necktie; the necktie has a front portion, a rear portion and a label attached to a back side of the front portion of the necktie. The apparatus includes a material having upper, middle and lower button holes that connect with upper, middle and lower buttons on the shirt. A first tab and a second tab are attached to the material and form a first loop and a second loop with the material such that said rear portion of said necktie is inserted through the first loop or the second loop. The first tab is positioned below the upper button hole and above the middle button hole and the second tab is positioned below the middle button hole and above the lower button hole on the apparatus. A tied necktie secured to the collar of the shirt is attached to the apparatus by connecting a first button on the shirt to a first button hole on the material. The rear portion of the necktie is inserted through the first or second tab on the material.

Abstract: A sport glove has a rolling mechanism disposed in the palm of the glove. The rolling mechanism includes one or more ball bearings, and the ball bearings can be positioned within the glove material or affixed to the glove material, such as in a housing or encasement.

Abstract: A head worn apparatus with an adjustably attached mirror that allows for hands free close vision self-application of medication, cosmetics, inspection of the skin and teeth and similar uses. It has an adjustable head band a pair of generally parallel multiple segmented spaced-apart appendages between which is a cross-member on which the mirror is located and is able to rotate 360 degrees about an axis perpendicular to the cross-member and is able to also rotate about the axis of the cross-member. The appendages can rotate about the connection to the head band at each joint of the adjoining appendages.

Abstract: A dorag head covering of one continuous piece of material including opposite tie straps extending sideways out from a front region for being tied around the head. Since the dorag is made of one continuous piece of material, its front region is smooth and seamless. With no seam in the front region of the dorag, no seam line impression forms in the hair after the dorag is removed. The rear region is formed of two flaps seamed together at neighboring edges to form a cap. The blank for forming the dorag is described and a method for forming the dorag from the blank is described.

Abstract: Various embodiments of ear protection devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ear protection device can include a frame. The frame can include several components, some of which are configured to move relative to each other.

Abstract: An ear warmer comprises a frame and a fabric member. The frame has an ear portion and a band portion. The ear portion of the frame includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side of the ear portion defines an interior portion of an opening. The second side of the ear portion defines an exterior portion of the opening. The fabric member includes at least its own ear portion coupled to the ear portion of the frame. The ear portion of the fabric member covers the interior portion of the opening in substantially its entirety and covers less than an entirety of the exterior portion of the opening.

Abstract: An ear warmer comprises a frame and a fabric member. The frame has an ear portion and a band portion. The ear portion of the frame includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side of the ear portion defines an interior portion of an opening. The second side of the ear portion defines an exterior portion of the opening. The fabric member includes at least its own ear portion coupled to the ear portion of the frame. The ear portion of the fabric member covers the interior portion of the opening in substantially its entirety and covers less than an entirety of the exterior portion of the opening.

Abstract: An ear warmer comprises a frame and a fabric member. The frame has an ear portion and a band portion. The ear portion of the frame includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side of the ear portion defines an interior portion of an opening. The second side of the ear portion defines an exterior portion of the opening. The fabric member includes at least its own ear portion coupled to the ear portion of the frame. The ear portion of the fabric member covers the interior portion of the opening in substantially its entirety and covers less than an entirety of the exterior portion of the opening.

Abstract: A product having fillers therein is provided, which includes two outer shells, at least one connecting member, and fillers. The connecting member has two connecting portions fixed to each other. The connecting portions are adhered to the outer shells respectively to form a plurality of compartments between the outer shells. The fillers are filled in the compartments. During fabricating the compartments, a hot press is performed at a time to form all of the compartments for saving time and cost. In addition, no needle holes similar to those formed by stitches are formed on the two outer shells, and thus the pieces of the fillers may be prevented from escaping out of the outer shells.

Abstract: A blower operated cooling vest that uses the normal movement of the body to blot excess moisture from the body and evaporate it away from the body and thus shield it from the heat.

Abstract: A body protecting device for wearing by a user comprising: an impact surface; and an array of energy absorbing cells, wherein each of said cells comprises a tube, and wherein the longitudinal axis of the tubes of one or more of said cells is arranged at an oblique angle to the impact surface.

Abstract: An impact-dispersing undergarment is provided. The impact-dispersing undergarment includes a wearable substrate, such as a flexible fabric, adapted to cover at least a portion of an individual's body. The undergarment includes at least one resilient, impact-dispersing gel packet coupled to the wearable substrate. The gel packets are selectively coupled to the wearable substrate and adapted for use underneath conventional protective padding. A method for protecting an individual during impact by employing the impact-dispersing undergarment under conventional protective padding is also provided.

Abstract: A toilet odor elimination device that can be retrofitted to existing toilets and adapted for new toilets includes a toilet intake vent located at the rear of the toilet bowl and which is in flow registration with an odor flow tunnel mounted to the inside front wall of the toilet tank for conveying noxious odors to a filter assembly enclosed within the toilet lid, noxious odors also being conveyed through odor intake vents disposed in odor intake channels extending within the lid, for odor purification and filtering by the filter assembly before release back into the room as freshened and scented air with the filter assembly driven by a fan and motor assembly controlled by a cpu unit, and the actuation of the fan and motor assembly from a program setting button on the toilet lid or from a remote control unit with the running time of the fan and motor assembly being set to various time increments from the program setting button or by time setting buttons on the remote control unit.

Abstract: A dispensing means for delivering a dose of a first liquid into a second liquid is provided, the dispensing means comprising an enclosure (2, 3, 4) for accommodating the first liquid (12, 13), and dispersion means (15, 16), the dispersion means being adapted to receive a dose of the first liquid from the enclosure, and to deliver a dose of the first liquid into the second liquid when subjected to a flow of the second liquid. The dispersion means comprises a structure (15, 16) along which the first liquid is transportable and, in use, substantially all of the surface area of the dispersion means is exposed to the atmosphere. A surface of the dispersion means is curved such that the flow of the liquid when incident upon the surface is drawn over at least a portion of the surface.

Abstract: A toilet seat positioning device is operated by a foot lever having a fulcrum positioned between and spaced from a link end and a foot end thereof. A seat coupling is received within a socket in the toilet seat spaced forwardly from the rear end hinge of the toilet seat. A link arm is pivotally coupled between the link end of the foot lever and the seat coupling. A biasing mechanism is arranged to bias the foot lever from the open position towards the closed position and a dampening mechanism is arranged to slow biasing action of the biasing mechanism.

Abstract: The invention resolves the choking problem of the existing sink strainers. The new design has a water outlet and a residues settlement area. See FIG. 7 for the concept design. The water outlet is designed at above the surface of the sink and the settlement area is at below the surface. The residues will eventually settle down in the settlement area when the water flows through the strainer. The water outlet will not be covered by the residues as it is above the surface. Having these two features in one will prevent the sinks from choking.

Abstract: A portable composting toilet system has a compartmentalized receptacle for receiving human waste, a gray-water circulation subsystem for circulating gray water formed by mixing water with waste through the compartmentalized receptacle to promote mixing of the waste to thereby accelerate digestion of the waste, and an air-circulation subsystem for emitting air bubbles into a sludge formed at a bottom of the compartmentalized receptacle to break up the sludge to thereby accelerate digestion of the waste. The air circulation subsystem can include an air-driven pump that causes the gray water to circulate while allowing feeding pressurized air to diffuser loops in each compartment to create sludge-breaking bubbles. This portable composting toilet system so efficiently decomposes waste that the maintenance costs of hauling residual sludge to the surface (when the toilet is used underground in a mine) is significantly lower than for conventional toilets, thus providing substantial cost savings to mine operators.

Abstract: A toilet system includes a toilet configured for use by a toddler. An enclosure substantially surrounds the toilet, the enclosure having a selectably closable first opening for use by the toddler to access the enclosure. The enclosure includes a second opening configured to permit access from exterior of the enclosure to assist the toddler. The access to assist the toddler can be provided from exterior of the enclosure while the first opening remains in a substantially closed position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pool arrangement (1) preferably filled with water and consisting of a first pool (10) embodied in the form of a swimming pool (11) and provided with a first side wall (12), a first bottom (13) and a first edge (14) thereof and of at least one second pool (20) embodied in the form of a filtering pool and provided with a second side wall (22), a second bottom (23) and a second edge (24) thereof, wherein at least one pool (10, 20) comprises at least one water discharge orifice (32) and at least one pool (10, 20) comprises at least one water supply orifice (33). For operating in winter season, said filtering pool (21) comprises at least one water discharge orifice (32) and at least one water supply orifice (33) which are connected to each other and remotely located from each other.

Abstract: A baby safety blanket having upper and lower panel members defining a baby-receiving enclosure, the upper and lower panel members preferably joined along at least one side in a releasable manner, such as with a zipper or hook-and-loop fasteners. Lateral panel members extend to either side, whereby the lateral panel members can be rolled into wedging rolls and wedged between the mattress and rails of a crib to tautly draw the upper panel member across the torso and legs of the baby to restrict roll-over. A secondary pocket may be provided on the upper side of the upper panel member such that blankets can be inserted or removed.

Abstract: A dog bed platform and leg comprising: a generally rectangular shaped sheet of material with a rounded end and a squared off end; at least one handle located on the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material, located near an edge of the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material; a safety indicator located on a surface of the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material near a center of the gravity of the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material; a first target located at the rounded end; a second target located at the squared off end; an extendible leg configurable to support an end of the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material from the group consisting of the rounded end and the squared off end.

Abstract: A patient support apparatus includes a patient support, a removable section configured for movement to a position wherein the removable section is aligned with patient support wherein the removable section can be coupled to the patient support, a second position wherein the removable section is adjacent to, but spaced from the first position and a third position spaced apart from the patient support. The patient support apparatus further includes a locking mechanism that is configured to sense when the removable section is properly aligned with the patient support so that the removable section can be mounted to the patient support.

Abstract: An anatomical pillow set for women and especially those enduring post-op breast surgery recuperation, or any other face-down lying situation such as massage in which compression of the breasts would be painful or uncomfortable. The anatomical pillow generally comprises two separate sections, one with a generally rectangular silhouette and semi-circular recess along the bottom edge, and one with a substantially rectangular silhouette. The two sections are used together. In use, a woman separates the two pillow sections and places the lower section beneath her breasts to support the rib cage, and the top section across her neck with neck cradled in the semi-circular recess. The left and right sides of the top pillow section support the woman's shoulders. Additionally, the woman may use her own pillow to support her head if she so chooses.

Abstract: A pillow. The pillow comprises a viscoelastic sleeve defining a cavity and a plurality of loose pieces of filler material substantially enclosed within the cavity.

Abstract: A mattress has at least one inflatable top layer made up of a plurality of adjacent elements that are secured together and that are individually inflatable by a pneumatic inflation and pressure regulation device and at least one bottom layer supporting the top layer. The bottom layer is provided with a recess for receiving a sensor connected to the pneumatic inflation and pressure regulation device, and making it possible to determine the pressure applied by the body of an individual bearing against the inflatable top layer and to regulate the inflation pressures of the elements of the top layer correspondingly, in order to facilitate desired penetration of the body on the device.

Abstract: A method of making foam imparts antimicrobial and antiodorant qualities to the foam. Green tea powder is added to the polyol raw materials for making memory foam. The green tea memory foam is used to make pillows, cushions and mattresses. Green tea foam in the top layer of a mattress acts as an antiodorant such that less of the chemical smell of the memory foam is perceived by the user. In addition, the bacteria and mold that would otherwise develop in the moist warmer sleeping environment on memory foam are killed by the green tea additive to the foam. Measurable antimicrobial and antiodorant qualities in the green tea foam are achievable by adding green tea powder constituting less than 2% of the weight of the resulting green tea foam.

Abstract: A multi-function hand-operated tool that is compact in size and of light weight so as to be carried and used to perform a variety of different jobs by carpenters, painters, do-it-yourselfers, and the like. The tool includes a nail set to transmit a driving force to the head of a nail to cause the nail to be countersunk in a work surface. An open mouth which is sized to receive the cap on a bottle cooperates with a lip that applies a rotational force to remove the cap from the bottle. A nail extractor having a cavity in which to surround and capture the head of a nail transmits a pulling force to the nail head to cause the nail to be removed from a work surface. A channel having a flush-mounted magnet carries a nail to be positioned in upstanding alignment against a work surface so that the nail can be driven therein. A pair of spaced, outwardly projecting teeth are located between a lid and a can to pry the lid off the can.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorescent whitening agent comprising a mixture of two symmetrically and one asymmetrically substituted triazinylaminostilbene disulphonic acids, certain novel derivatives, a process for their preparations and use of the mixture for whitening synthetic or natural organic materials, especially paper and for the fluorescent whitening and improvement of sun protection factors of textile materials.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of conditioning fabrics, comprising contacting fabric with a liquid composition comprising an amino-functional silicone and a quaternary ammonium, and drying said fabric at 200 degrees F. or greater. The invention includes a method of conditioning fabrics, comprising washing fabric in a detergent having a wash pH of greater than 10, contacting fabric with a liquid composition comprising an amino-functional silicone and a quaternary ammonium, and drying said fabric at less than 200 degrees F. The invention further provides a method of conditioning fabrics wherein softness, anti-static, and anti-wrinkle properties are imparted to the fabric wherein the conditioned fabric resists yellowing in industrial and institutional conditions wherein the wash pH is greater than 9 and/or the fabric temperature is 200 degrees Fahrenheit or greater.

Abstract: Compositions, methods, apparatuses, kits, and combinations are described for permanently or temporarily re-designing, decorating, and/or re-coloring a surface. The compositions useful in the present disclosure include a décor product that is formulated to be applied and affixed to a surface. If desired, the décor product may be substantially removed from the surface before being affixed thereto. If a user desires to remove the décor product, the décor product is formulated to be removed by a number of methods including, for example, vacuuming, wet extraction, chemical application, and the like. If the user desires to affix the décor product to the surface in a permanent or semi-permanent manner, the décor product may be affixed to the surface by applying energy thereto in the form of, for example, heat, pressure, emitted waves, an emitted electrical field, a magnetic field, and/or a chemical.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous dye solution comprising a) 5 to 30% by weight of an anionic or cationic direct dye, b) 0.1 to 10% by weight of 1-phenoxy-2-propanol, c) 0 to 20% by weight of an inorganic or an organic acid, d) 0 to 20% by weight of further additives and e) water to complete to 100%, a process for the preparation of the solution and the use thereof for dyeing paper.

Abstract: The invention relates to a swimming pool cleaner with wheels driven by a turbine. The pool cleaner is intermittently turned from its path of travel along an underwater surface. A turning cam is provided inwardly of and adjacent to each of a pair of the side wheels. The cams are rotatably mounted on the turbine driven wheel axle which extends between said wheels. Each cam intermittently extends a gripping formation beyond the operatively supporting surface of the adjacent wheel. The cams will preferably comprise a disc with an integral annular internal ring gear formed. An inner gear is fixed for rotation with the axle and an outer gear is supported between the inner gear and the ring gear to rotate the cam. The inner gear is an interrupted gear member to cause intermittent stepwise rotation of the ring gear and the outer gear is a sprocket supported for unidirectional rotation.

Abstract: An autonomous floor-cleaning robot comprising a housing infrastructure including a chassis, a power subsystem; for providing the energy to power the autonomous floor-cleaning robot, a motive subsystem operative to propel the autonomous floor-cleaning robot for cleaning operations, a command and control subsystem operative to control the autonomous floor-cleaning robot to effect cleaning operations, and a self-adjusting cleaning head subsystem that includes a deck mounted in pivotal combination with the chassis, a brush assembly mounted in combination with the deck and powered by the motive subsystem to sweep up particulates during cleaning operations, a vacuum assembly disposed in combination with the deck and powered by the motive subsystem to ingest particulates during cleaning operations, and a deck adjusting subassembly mounted in combination with the motive subsystem for the brush assembly, the deck, and the chassis that is automatically operative in response to an increase in brush torque in said brush

Abstract: A brush section for use with an electric toothbrush includes a relatively large brush head portion having a generally rectangular shape, although oblong, elliptical and other such shapes having a length to width aspect ration greater than 1 may be employed. The brush head portion is secured to a shaft portion of the brush section that may be configured to couple to a handle section. The handle section may include an electric drive including drive shaft, and the drive shaft may couple to the brush head via a coupling member positioned within the shaft portion. The electric drive may impart a rotary, oscillating rotary-oscillating or other suitable drive motion to the drive shaft that is, in turn, imparted upon the brush head by virtue of the coupling member.

Abstract: an organic toilet cleaner/freshener made of biodegradable foam that also serves as a toilet training target for 2-4 year old children.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a toothbrush apparatus with audio output function comprising a toothbrush unit and an audio output unit, wherein the toothbrush unit detects the toothbrush-generated vibrations and conducts the radio transmission of such detected signals to the audio output unit and the said audio output unit outputs various sounds, including voice. The present invention does not have the audio output unit built inside the toothbrush. Rather, it has a separate structure to output audio signals. As a result, the present invention completely resolves the waterproofing problem. Further, the present invention is able to provide a wide variety of audio signals.

Abstract: A toothbrush (100) may include an audio component (140) configured to operate as a microphone to receive an audio signal in a first mode of operation and to operate as a speaker to output the audio signal through the body (148) of the toothbrush (100) in a second mode of operation. Another toothbrush (100) may include a motor (271) for powering one or more moveable elements (227) and a processor (392) to monitor and maintain a variable, such as the motor speed or voltage applied, associated with the motor (271). Another toothbrush (100) may include a single operation mode button (FIGS. 13A-13C) to change a mode of operation of moveable elements (227) on the toothbrush (100) and audio signals transmitted through an output (148) of the toothbrush (100).

Abstract: A travel kit for assisting a user to scratch, wash, and apply lotions to hard to reach areas of the body includes a hollow shaft provided with telescopically interfitted rectilinear first, second, and third sections respectively. The kit includes a rectilinear connector, and a plurality of attachments is connected directly to the connector and the distal tip of the third section. The travel kit further includes a mechanism for locking the hollow shaft between compressed and extended positions, a plurality of depressions, an arcuately shaped knob formed in the outer surface of the second and the third sections respectively, a plurality of cylindrical brackets directly attached to the outer surface of the first and second sections respectively, and a tab suitably shaped and sized to reside within an associated one of the outer depressions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a toothbrush having a handle and an articulated head coupled to the handle. The articulated head includes two sections and each of the head sections has a bottom surface and a side surface. Each of the head sections includes a plurality of bristles extending from the bottom surface of that head section and at least one of the head sections includes a plurality of elastomeric fingers partially defining the side surface of that head section and partially extending from the bottom surface of the head section. The head section most remote from the handle, in a normal configuration of the articulated head, is angled with respect to the other head section.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner brushroll having a pulley with a generally circular pulley surface surrounding at least one opening located radially inward of the pulley surface, and an elongated shaft passing through the central opening. The pulley may surrounds and be captured in place by a mounting portion of the elongated shaft that is formed as continuous single structure. A mounting portion of the shaft comprising a continuous structure having a reduced cross section into which the pulley fits may be located within and on either side of the pulley's central opening. A process for making a brushroll is also provided.

Abstract: A cleaning element comprises a plurality of water-absorbing strips, each having a large water-absorbing surface made up of front, rear, left right surfaces for wiping a large floor area, a holding plate for holding the water-absorbing strips on inner ends thereof, and reinforcing seams, longitudinally running along the water-absorbing strips, for high mechanical strength and an enhanced lifetime. A cleaning apparatus, used in conjunction with the cleaning element, further comprises a rod and a bearing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-purpose squeegee and cutting tool for use by the human hand. The tool meets the continuing need to be able to apply adhesive films to smooth surfaces without capturing air bubbles, creases in the film or adhesive lumps between the film and the surface. There have been a number of tools used and patented to accomplish this task. The disclosed invention is a new and novel multi-purpose tool that can be used to remove creases in the film, bubbles and lumps while having a built-in knife for piercing bubbles, cutting and trimming the adhesive film.

Abstract: A system for wiping an external mirror on a vehicle.

Abstract: An actuator for rotating an oscillating disk is mounted on a rear door. A pivot shaft provided with a lever is rotatably supported on a rear door glass. The lever is provided with a first elastic portion and second elastic portions. When the rear door glass is open, the first elastic member contacts the lever between the first restrictor and the lever. As a result, the rotation of the lever toward the outside of a first angle range by a first rotational force or less is restricted. The second elastic portion contacts the lever between the first restrictor and the lever even if the lever rotates toward the outside of a second angle range by a rotational force greater than the first rotational force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable blower-vacuum device which comprises a motor (3) operated by a switch (7) and located in a main body (2) and a fan (4) drivable by the motor. A vacuum nozzle (11) and a blower nozzle (12) are associated with the main body and the vacuum nozzle comprises a main portion (14a) extending in a direction of an axis (Z1) of the main portion and a terminal portion (14b) with an axis (Z2) angularly disposed with respect to the axis (Z1) of the main portion.