Abstract:
An earmuff incorporating elevated sound attenuation. The earmuff comprises an outer cup (10') which connects with a sealing part. Arranged within the earmuff are a plurality of separating partitioning walls (14) which extend from the bottom wall (16) of the cup towards the sealing part. The partitioning walls (14) may be integral with the cup (10') or formed separately therefrom and loosely fitted thereinto.
Abstract:
A machine for harvesting and decorticating ramie plants is shown in the form of a wheeled vehicle using an adjustable sickle bar or rotary blades located in the front of the machine for selecting the mature stalks. A series of entry points are provided for the plants, wherein the uniformly cut stalks travel back falling on an apron at a 45.degree. angle for the first decorticating butt drum. A leaf stripper strips any leaves left at the stalks just before the butt decorticator drum. The second decorticating drum has helically arrayed bars on its exterior surface, operably disposed adjacent a machined surface located on a first leg of a generally U-shaped breast plate, such that the interaction of the bars with the breast plate removes unusable portions of the plants adjacent the upper ends and frees the ramie fibers. The third decorticating drum is operably disposed adjacent the machined surface located on the second leg of the U-shaped breast plate, for further removal of unusable plant portions from the ramie fibers resulting in clean decorticated fibers rather than ribboned fibers. Water is sprayed onto the stalks at point of entry into the third drum which facilitates the decortication and cleaning of the fiber being pulled out of the drum.
Abstract:
A method for harvesting bast plants that have stalks, husks, and seeds. The method includes cutting the bast stalks from the bast plants and promptly receiving the bast stalks onto a first belt without retting the bast stalks. The method then orients at least a portion of the bast stalks on the first belt, the longitudinal axis of the at least a portion of the bast stalks being generally oriented in the direction the first belt is moving. The husks and seeds may be removed from the bast stalks. The bast stalk may be packaged.
Abstract:
An ear protecting apparatus adapted to protect children and infants from discomfort and potential hearing damage associated with noisy environments. The apparatus includes an adjustable headband having a pair of noise-attenuating earmuffs provided at opposite ends thereof, respectively. Each earmuff includes an annular member which entirely surrounds the user's ear and a noise-attenuating dome-shaped member which is shaped, dimensioned, and adapted to press against an outer portion of the user's auditory canal to effectively seal same from loud noise. Both the annular member and the dome-shaped member are preferably fabricated of a noise-attenuating foam material. The headband is spring-biased to urge the earmuffs inwardly so that they will be comfortably pressed into position on and around the user's ears.