Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method and apparatus for detecting particles in a gas by saturating the gas with vapor and causing the gas to flow through a chamber with walls that are at a temperature different than the temperature of the entering gas creating a gas turbulence within the chamber resulting in the gas becoming super-saturated with vapor and causing said super-saturated vapor to condense on said particles and form droplets, which are then detected and counted by an optical light-scattering detector.

Abstract: Milking box or boxes for cows, each milking box having two entrance fences for entry and two exit fences, wherein one first entrance fence and one first exit fence form a first pair of fences positioned at a first side, and one second entrance fence and one second exit fence form a second pair of fences at a second side which is opposite the first side. This type of milking box used in a cow stable further comprises resting boxes, at least one feeder trough, a separation zone or zones, and walking paths, wherein at least the resting boxes are placed at the first side of the milking box or boxes, and that at the second side of the milking box or boxes at least one is placed selected from the group comprising at least one feeder trough, a separation zone or zones, or outdoors.

Abstract: An automatic milking system (11) includes i) a milking apparatus (12) with teat cups (15a-d) and milk flow rate measuring equipment (16a-d) for measuring the individual milk flow from each of the teats of the animal; and ii) a teat-cup device (14) attaching the teat cups to the teats of the animal prior to milking the animal. The milk flow measuring equipment is arranged to measure the individual milk flow rate from each of the teats of the animal continuously during the milking of the animal.

Abstract: A feed level sensor for a poultry feeding system is positioned within the drop tube of a control feeder of the feeding system. The sensor comprise a first light emitter/light detector pair to detect when the level of feed in the drop tube falls below a predetermined “empty” level and a second light emitter/light detector pair to detect when feed in the drop tube is at a predetermined “full” level in the drop tube. The sensor emits a “start” signal to activate a drive to deliver feed to the feeders along a feed line when it is detected that feed in the control feeder drop tube falls below the “empty” level and emits a “stop” signal to deactivate the drive when it detects that feed within the drop tube is at the “full” level.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with feeding animals from multiple feeders are described. Example systems include a first feeder configured to allow access by a first animal when a condition allowing access is met, and a communication logic configured to communicate with at least one other feeder. At least one other feeder is configured to allow access by at least one other animal when a condition allowing access by the at least one other animal is met. The feeders may be separated to prevent the first animal from simultaneously eating from the first feeder and interfering with other animals eating from at least one other feeder. The system may include detection logic configured to detect the proximity of an animal, and to determine if a condition allowing access is met. The detection logic may include an RFID device attached to the animal and an RFID transceiver in the first feeder.

Abstract: A system for operating a remote device has a portable timer module employing a microcontroller with an operating system configured to read and store executable instructions and data received over a communications link. A software application program in a personal computing device enables a user to select time of day control times for operating the remote device. The microcontroller receives the user-selected time of day control time data and instructions when coupled to the personal computing device. The microcontroller emulates the function of a time of day clock and generates control signals when the emulated time of day clock corresponds to the user-selected time of day control times. The portable timer module has a battery pack for powering the microcontroller. The portable timer module is configured to selectively couple battery voltage from the remote device to activate one or more of its electromechanical devices in response to the control signals.

Abstract: A multilevel birdbath consists of a main body that has a concave, contoured inside surface and an exterior lower surface, the main body further has a flat rim surrounding the concave inside surface and the concave inside surface optionally has stepped areas fluctuating in height and a sloping portion such that the stepped areas would create different depths of the multilevel birdbath which can accommodate and attract birds of different sizes and species.

Abstract: A floating insulator assembly is configured to be used with a stock tank that is configured to retain water. The assembly may include an insulating member configured to float on water within the stock tank, and a chew deterrent extending from at least a portion of the insulating member. The chew deterrent includes a plurality of chew-deterring protuberances that outwardly extend from at least portion of the insulating member. The chew deterrent is configured to deter an animal from biting or otherwise grasping.

Abstract: An animal water toy that includes one or more playthings carried by flowing water that entices an animal, such as a cat, into interaction therewith. Playthings can be received in a container having water drinkable by the animal that is propelled by a pump into flowing and carrying the playthings. A portion can be upraised above the water providing an animal perch and/or flow director imparting flow deviations causing unpredictable plaything movement helping enhance animal interaction. A conveyance device can be provided conveying playthings relative to the flow. A pet watering device, e.g., fountain, can include an animal toy constructed in accordance with the present invention and a conveyance device lifting playthings from one level of the watering device to another. In one embodiment, playthings are animal attractant objects that can be buoyant and configured to attract an animal, such as by its color, graphics, indicia, and/or shape.

Abstract: The Flip ‘n’ Go is a self-contained litter box comprising an attachable filtering mechanism for use in collecting waste matter from within the box thereby providing consumers with a simple and sanitary means of disposing pet waste.

Abstract: A method and system for producing large quantities of aquatic animal embryos includes providing a water filled spawning tank adapted for holding the male and female aquatic animals in various configurations. The system can include a spawning platform which includes a porous or perforated element that allows the embryos but not the aquatic animal to pass through and a separator which includes a porous or perforated element that can be used to separate the male aquatic animals from the female aquatic animals during a priming phase. In operation, the spawning platform can be placed in the bottom of the tank in order to provide a bottom collection area where the embryos can be collected and the aquatic animals cannot eat or otherwise harm the embryos. The female aquatic animals can be placed in tank above the spawning platform.

Abstract: An aquarium or aquatic system such as a fish tank for the safe and clean containment of a plurality of aquatic specimens such as fish, segregated from one another by a series of divider panels aligned within that tank. The divider panels are spaced from the walls and floor of that tank so as to permit a “bottom current” flow of water under those divider panels to sweep away the debris accumulating in each of those chambers, and then into a collection unit such as a series of filters, filtration system or water processors which thus treats and cleans the water and preferably reintroduces that water back into the upstream end of that water flow.

Abstract: A synchronous fan system is provided which intermittently calibrates the fans by rotating periodically the fans each to a common stop position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a customizable modular pet house and entertainment system. In one general embodiment of the invention, a pet house comprises a module formed from a sheet of self-supporting material. The module comprises a top panel, a bottom panel, and four side panels. At least one of the panels may have at least one of a removable transition panel, a removable door panel, and perimeter of a removable window panel. Optional accessories include a top accessory panel, a side accessory panel, and an accessory bracket. More than one modular pet house may be joined together to form an extended structure. Embodiments of the invention have interior spaces and apertures sized for admittance of a common house cat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a molded pet toy puzzle with a top aperture to receive a ball and wherein gravity will force the ball randomly into one of three tunnels with a terminus at each end. Each terminus will have some type of covering wherein an animal must determine how to open the covering to retrieve the ball.

Abstract: A pet chew snack has a winding belt and a body. The winding belt is edible. The body is solid, chewable and edible and has a helical slot and at least one hole. The helical slot is helically formed in and distributed across the middle portion. Each one of the at least one hole is located at one of the end portions for one end of the winding belt to be mounted therein. The winding belt is replaceably mounted in the at least one hole and the helical slot. As the winding belt is received in the helical slot and the at least one hole of the body, it takes pets longer time to consume the winding belt. Moreover, the winding belt is replaceable. Accordingly, the pet chew snack prolongs attraction to pets in chewing the body by having the winding belt.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a canine garment that can be used to control and/or contain canine fluids, such as fluids related to canine urine marking, incontinence and heat-induced female menstruation. The canine garment may have a liner that is configured to wrap around the interior of the canine garment to prevent the flow of canine fluids onto the other portions of the canine garment and/or from escaping from the garment. The canine garment may also include a removable pad containing absorbent lining to prevent the flow of canine fluids, where the removable pad may be washable and reusable, and being made of wicking, odor-resistant fabrics. The canine garment may also be capable of accommodating a disposable pad that can be used to prevent the flow of canine fluids. The canine garment according to the present invention may also be comfortable when worn on the canine user's body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for supplying fuel to an internal combustion engine while improving the utilization rate of an evaporation fuel. The raw fuel F0 is separated to a first fuel F1 and a second fuel F2 by a separation device 20. The evaporation fuel V derived from the first fuel F1 is suctioned from a condenser 30 by an operation of a vacuum pump 36, and then supplied to a first fuel tank 40. During this operation, at least a part of the evaporation fuel V transits its phase from a gas phase to a liquid phase and stored in the first fuel tank 40 as the first fuel F1.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle engine compartment cooling system by cooperatively controlling both a variable grille opening and engine cooling fan based on a number of vehicle inputs. Maximum component cooling demand, vehicle speed, and ambient temperature are inputs to lookup tables that issue grille opening demand and engine cooling fan demand. Additionally, vehicle overall power consumption is considered in the development of the lookup tables. A vehicle computing unit selects grille opening settings and cooling fan speeds that correspond to demands from lookup tables. A control signal is sent to an adjustable grille actuator and to a fan motor. Further, vehicle deceleration events are used to trigger a full open grille opening setting, allowing increased cooling at little or no loss to vehicle efficiency. A benefit of the disclosed method is optimal settings to minimize the grille opening for aerodynamic performance while providing required engine component cooling.

Abstract: An inner rotor has a support portion which directly supports a most inner winding portion of a coil spring from a radially inner direction at a specified angle position in the circumferential direction. The coil spring is formed by winding a wire in such a manner that adjacent windings are contact with each other at a specified angle position. The adjacent windings are separated by a distance at a position which is apart from the specified angle position in a circumferential direction.

Abstract: A valve timing controller has a spiral spring biasing a vane rotor in an advance direction. An inner end and an outer end of the spring are respectively engaged with an engage groove and an engage pin in such a manner that a center of a most inner imaginary circle passing through a center line of the wire is apart from a center of a most outer imaginary circle passing through both the center line of the wire and an engage point between the inner end and the engage groove. The most outer imaginary circle is eccentric to the most inner imaginary circle by a specified amount.

Abstract: A handle for a starter pull cord having an elongate body for being grasped by a user, a stem extending downward from the elongate body and having a female portion of a quick connect/release coupling mechanism, the female portion having a core and a sleeve mounted for sliding movement thereon between engaged position and disengaged position, the sleeve being biased towards the engaged position, and a cord connector for attaching to the starter pull cord and having a male portion of the quick connect/release coupling mechanism adapted to being received within the female portion and being releasably retained therein when the sleeve is in the engaged position and being released therefrom when the sleeve is in the disengaged position. The first male portion and the female portion may include complementary interlocking portions that cooperate to prevent rotation of the first male portion relative to the female portion.

Abstract: Embodiments for balancing an engine are provided. In one example, a method for balancing mass forces of a crank drive of an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder comprises providing at least one balancing unit which has at least one balancing weight which serves as an unbalance and which rotates about a rotational axis when the balancing unit is operational, the at least one balancing unit being embodied as a switchable balancing unit, and switching on the at least one balancing unit as a function of at least one operating parameter of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Embodiments for mass balancing an engine are provided. In one example, an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder which is associated with a crank drive comprises at least one mechanically driven balancing unit for balancing the mass forces, the balancing unit including at least one balancing weight which serves as an unbalance by initially rotating a first mass about a rotational axis relative to a second mass when the balancing unit is operational, and an interrupter unit to disconnect the at least one balancing unit from the mechanical drive in a switched off state and connect it to the mechanical drive in a switched on state.

Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine may include a piston head and a piston shaft. The piston shaft may have two shaft walls, one arranged on a pressure side and the other arranged on a counter-pressure side. Two box walls may have pin bosses and connect the shaft walls. Each of the box walls may have a first partial wall section and a second partial wall section. The first partial wall section may extend between the pin boss and the shaft wall arranged on the pressure side. The second partial wall section may extend between the pin boss and the shaft wall arranged on the counter-pressure side. A first longitudinal centre line of the first partial wall section is may be convergent to a second longitudinal centre line of the second partial wall section, wherein the first and second longitudinal centre lines—intersect each other outside the piston.

Abstract: A piston for a four valve direct injection diesel engine defines a combustion chamber comprising a recess (10) in the piston crown, which is rotationally symmetrical about the axis of the piston in axial cross-section and is defined by a base and a side wall. A generally conical projection (5) is upstanding from the base. The recess (10) includes a lower toroidal portion (8) and an upper portion (10), whose diameter progressively increases towards the piston crown. The upper and lower portions of the recess are separated by an annular, arcuate lip (12) extending into the recess.

Abstract: A combustion chamber for an internal combustion engine is disclosed in which the piston has a large squish region at a peripheral location on the piston top and a depression in the center of the piston top. A side injector sprays fuel into the depression in the piston top through a channel defined in the squish region. In some embodiments, two injectors are provided that are diametrically opposed to each other. In some embodiments, the engine is an opposed-piston engine in which each piston has the squish regions and depressions in the piston top.

Abstract: A valve device (110), in particular a throttle device, preferably for use in motor vehicles, the finished valve device (110) comprising a housing (120), which surrounds a flow duct portion (126, 128, 130, 133), and additionally comprising at least two valves (132, 134, 136, 137) accommodated on the housing (120) and movable relative thereto such that, by relative adjustment of the valves (132, 134, 136, 137) relative to the housing (120), the effective flow area of the flow duct portion (126, 128, 130, 133) may be modified, adjacent valves (132, 134, 136, 137) being produced separately and being couplable or coupled together for joint movement by interlocking geometries (164, 166).

Abstract: An idle throttle valve control method of a diesel vehicle, may include a first step of determining whether an idle entry condition of the vehicle may be satisfied, a second step of controlling a throttle valve based on an air amount map and controlling an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve based on an EGR map, when the first step may be satisfied, a third step of determining whether an idle release condition may be satisfied during the second step, and a fourth step of determining whether an EGR return condition may be satisfied, when the idle release condition may be satisfied in the third step.

Abstract: Disclosed is an internal combustion engine gas cycle modification process, comprising venting, which allows for some automatic gas transfer from intake to exhaust or vice versa, through the cylinder, in the compression or expansion strokes, by a second or third opening of either the intake or the exhaust valves, which is done by using a second or third auxiliary lobe on the intake or the exhaust cams, which however are much smaller than the normal lobes. Seven gas cycle modifications are explained and compared, each of which reduces NOx by 300-9,000× and cleans emission in the cylinder. On the same fuel consumption, all these modified gas cycles preserve torque and power. One however, increases high engine speed power and torque by over 70%. That may be exchanged for fuel savings. Double and triple lobe cams made the same way and cost the same as single lobe cams. It substitutes after-treatments.

Abstract: A system for controlling combustion in a diesel engine having one or more combustion chambers in which fuel is injected and air is compressed for combustion of the fuel. The system includes a hydrogen injector for injecting a first predetermined volume of hydrogen into the combustion chamber prior to combustion of the fuel, and an oxygen injector for injecting a second predetermined volume of oxygen into the combustion chamber prior to combustion of the fuel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two solenoid valve relay with a two-phase fuel injection valve for a diesel engine, which is installed on a valve itself to enable injection at pressure greater than opening pressure, at which the fuel enters into a fuel valve, thereby improving fuel injection performance, and which is configured to enable adjustment of an injection timing at the opening pressure within the valve, wherein injection timings through a solenoid valve is provided for low load and high load, respectively, such that a distinct difference exists between the injection timings to open the nozzle hole of the nozzle in a differential manner at pressure higher than the pressure, at which the fuel enters to the fuel valve and internal spring opening pressure, thereby injecting fuel at high pressure even at low load to facilitate vaporization, and wherein, in case of a high speed operation or high load, low pressure/high pressure needle valves are opened at the same time to quickly inject fuel of a high vol

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (1) having at least two cylinders (4) or at least two groups (2, 3) of cylinders (4), of which at least one is electronically deactivatable, has at least one inlet strand (5, 6) and at least one outlet strand (7, 8). In order to improve the quality of the operating noise in the interior of a passenger cell, at least one inlet strand (5, 6) of at least one deactivated cylinder (4) can be acoustically connected via at least one sound conducting apparatus (21, 22) to an inner chamber (20) of a vehicle (19).

Abstract: An evaporated fuel treating apparatus reduces blow-through of evaporated fuel components from an atmosphere port to an outside and has a fluid circulation passage which includes at one end side a first chamber containing granulated carbon or fractured carbon, and heat storage material and at another end side a second chamber containing granulated carbon or fractured carbon and not having the heat storage material. A delay diffusion chamber is disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, which does not have activated carbon and the heat storage material therein. An adsorption amount of evaporated fuel of granulated or fractured carbon in the second chamber is set to be not less than 2 vol % and not more than 8 vol % of a total adsorption amount of evaporated fuel of granulated or fractured carbon, and a volume of the delay diffusion chamber is larger than that of the second chamber.

Abstract: An evaporative emission control system for a fuel tank of a vehicle includes a diurnal control module coupled to a vapor exhaust line running between the fuel tank and an activated carbon canister. A purge line is coupled to the canister and is open to atmospheric pressure. The purge line includes a breathing loss accumulator that collects fuel vapors expelled from the canister during diurnal thermal expansion. The diurnal control module closes fluid communication between the fuel tank and the canister when the fuel tank is not being refueled to maintain the fuel tank in a pressurized condition and the canister in a non-pressurized condition.

Abstract: The pressure wave supercharger includes a housing having an accommodating room to accommodate a rotor rotatably about an axis, and an exhaust side wall face which is arranged at the accommodating room as being opposed to one end face of the rotor and to which an exhaust gas introduction port and an exhaust gas discharge port are opened, and the rotor includes a shaft portion supported by the housing rotatably about the axis, plural partition walls arranged as being extended in the radial direction from the shaft portion and in the axial direction from the one end face to other end face of the rotor, and a partition member which is arranged at a space between adjacent partition walls and which partitions the space into an inner cell and an outer cell as extending from the one end face to the other end face of the rotor, and an exhaust side groove portion concaved in a direction being apart from the rotor is formed at the exhaust side wall face as being overlapped with a trajectory of the partition member lined

Abstract: An exhaust manifold maintains the EGR ratio constant irrespective of a change in shape of the exhaust manifold and includes exhaust gas inlet sections connected to the exhaust ports of respective cylinders of the engine; a main pipe section configured so that exhaust gas entering from the exhaust gas inlet sections is collected inside the main pipe section; an EGR gas taking-out section for extracting, as EGR gas, a part of the exhaust gas; and an exhaust gas discharge section for discharging the exhaust gas. The main pipe section has formed thereon a curved section provided between the exhaust gas inlet sections and curved in a shape protruding to the side opposite the exhaust gas inlet sections. The curved section has a recess which is formed by causing a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the curved section to be recessed toward the inside of the main pipe section.

Abstract: Uniflow two-stroke engines without ports on the cylinder and with four-stroke lubrication

Abstract: It is intended to effectively prevent blow-by with no need for large changes in typical structures of two-cycle internal combustion engines. A main scavenging passage (24) for supplying air-fuel mixture from a crankcase to a combustion chamber for scavenging purposes has a branch scavenging passage (26) that extends upward aslant toward an intake port (14). The main scavenging passage (24) communicates with a first scavenging port (20) located nearer to an exhaust port (16). The branch scavenging passage (26) communicates with a second scavenging port (22). A mean cross-sectional area of the branch scavenging passage (26) is smaller than that of the main scavenging passage (24). Cross-sectional area of a portion (24b) next to an inlet port (24a) of the main scavenging passage (24) opening to the crankcase is smaller than the sum of cross-sectional areas of the first and second scavenging ports (20, 22).

Abstract: A hand-held flinging device includes a launcher that engages the projectile and improves control of the launcher and projectile, during a throwing/flinging motion, until centrifugal force causes disengagement of the projectile from the launcher. The engagement system involves the rearward portions of a launcher shaft and the projectile bore, so that, upon disengagement, frictional engagement and interference of the engagement system with the projectile is prevented or limited as the projectile moves forward to fly off the launcher. The engagement system may include a member that snaps into engagement with a hole or recess to hold the projectile on the launcher even through the wind-up portion of the throw that may include the launcher distal end being pointed downward. The preferred projectile covers the entire or nearly the entire launcher shaft distal of the hand grip and is heavier toward its front end.

Abstract: A burner for a furnace includes an inner wall defining a central burner chamber. The inner wall includes a plurality of inner wall openings to admit a fuel flow into the central burner chamber. The burner further includes an outer wall which, defines an annulus for the fuel flow to the plurality of inner wall openings. An igniter is located in the central chamber. A furnace includes a heat exchanger and one or more burners disposed at and aligned with one or more burner openings of the heat exchanger. The one or more burners include an inner wall defining a central burner chamber. The inner wall includes a plurality of inner wall openings to admit a fuel flow into the central burner chamber. The one or more burners further include an outer wall defining an annulus for the fuel flow to the plurality of inner wall openings.

Abstract: A heater can be configured to operate with either a first fuel at a first pressure or a second fuel at a second pressure. In some embodiments, a pressure regulator unit is configured to regulate the pressure of either the first fuel or the second fuel and to direct either the first fuel or the second fuel towards a combustion chamber. A nozzle assembly can be configured to inject the fuel into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A thermoelectric powered air circulating device for use in connection with a conventional radiant heat oven operates to circulate heated air within the oven to promote convection cooking therewithin that otherwise would not be possible without the device. The device includes a container having a quantity of fluid therein, a thermoelectric device, a first heat exchange structure connected to the thermoelectric device and configured to conduct heat between the thermoelectric device and the quantity of fluid, a second heat exchange structure connected to the thermoelectric device and configured to conduct heat between the thermoelectric device and the heated air with the oven space, and an electric fan operably connected to the thermoelectric device to receive electrical power therefrom. A temperature differential in the thermoelectric device causing the thermoelectric device to generate electrical energy to power the electric fan, thereby resulting in the circulation of the heat air within the oven space.

Abstract: A heated food sachet (10), sealed on all sides, that may be filled with one or more condiments or other edible substances (11), that contains a heat pack (12), which may be filled with a supercooled solution (13) and that contains a trigger (14). This trigger comprises two parts. First, the trigger may be one or more breakable hollow capsules (FIG. 3) or one or more air pockets (FIG. 4) that may be attached or unattached to the heat pack. Secondly, the inner part of the capsule or air pocket may contain crystals or any other substance (15) that will start the solidification process of the supercooled solution when coming into contact with each other. The heat emitted by the reaction warms the condiments or other edible substances contained in the sachet.

Abstract: A low profile exhaust hood has a high inlet and a high aspect ratio of horizontal to vertical. A sloping wall of the recess guides hot plumes upwardly to the inlet. The inlet is sized to provide an exhaust face velocity that is at least as high as a highest possible plume velocity for a 400 F oven. The inlet is located high and forwardly to cause a suction zone to be generated near the forward edge of the hood to aid in capturing plumes tending to escape which are remote from the sloping wall.

Abstract: A solar heat collecting system includes a collecting mirror, a receiver, an electrical control unit for controlling the collecting mirror to track the sun, a projection mirror disposed coaxially and integrally with the collecting mirror and the focus of which is coincident with that of the collecting mirror, a through hole disposed at the collecting mirror and the size of which is larger than that of the light spot of the projection mirror and far smaller than the through hole of the collecting mirror, and a reflecting mirror disposed at the side of the collecting mirror opposite to the projection mirror. The receiver is fixedly disposed at the extending direction of the primary optical axis line of the reflecting mirror. A first motor, disposed at the primary optical axis line for driving the whole mirror assembly, is connected to the electrical control unit and runs under control thereof.

Abstract: A water heater with a hot water compartment, the volume of which is decreased when hot water is discharged. The remaining hot water is prevented from mixing with replacement cold water. The volume of the compartment is increased again when cold water has been heated and is pushed into the hot water compartment. The water heater is divided into a receiving compartment for water at ambient temperature and a compartment from which heated water is discharged for normal usage. The previously heated water is thereby prevented from mixing with replacement cold water. All compartments can be heated or the compartments can be heated individually. The water heater keeps the hot water temperature high between usage activities, and is suited for an intermittent energy source, e.g. solar power.

Abstract: A nebulizer kit includes a case body, a flow channel formation member that covers an opening of the case body, an outside air introduction tube erected vertically from a base surface of the flow channel formation member and including a long groove formed in an inner circumferential surface thereof, a compressed air introduction tube below the outside air introduction tube within the case body and extending toward the interior of the outside air introduction tube, and an atomizing area formation member. The atomizing area formation member includes a liquid suction tube formation portion, a baffle, and a baffle support portion that connects the liquid suction tube formation portion and the baffle and that extends toward a side area of the baffle from an outer surface of the liquid suction tube formation portion. The baffle support portion is contained within the long groove of the outside air introduction tube.

Abstract: An actuator (2) for an inhaler (1) comprising a longitudinally extending body (3), a delivery passage at (or near to) a first end of the body (3) and a retained cover (7) for the delivery passage, the actuator (2) having at least one profile (9) arranged to guide the cover (7) from a closed position occluding at least a user-opening (6) of the delivery passage to a remote location in which the user-opening (6) of the delivery passage is unoccluded wherein the cover (7) and the at least one profile (9) are configured and arranged such that, in use of the actuator (2), in the guided movement of the cover (7) from the closed position to the remote location, the cover (7) is glided by the user towards the second end of the body (3).

Abstract: Ventilation apparatus includes a hat having an axis of symmetry and composed of a top and sides extending down to a rim extending all around the hat. An elongated flexible panel encircles the rim. Securements secure the panel to the rim at spaced-apart locations therearound to provide a plurality of relatively long channels extending between the rim and the panel. Each channel extends parallel to the axis and is sized to slidably receive a tube. In use, a patient wears the hat and inlet and outlet tubes are retained in selected hat channels so as to stabilize a patient interface cannula connected to the tubes so that the cannula's nasal prongs remain properly positioned in the patient's nares.