Abstract: A convertible visor has a bill including a first bill covering attached to a second bill covering with a bill stiffener therebetween. The bill stiffener permits the reversing of the bill to display either the first bill covering or the second bill covering as the exterior of the visor. A headband attaches to the bill and includes a first headband covering attached to a second headband covering. The first and second headband coverings define an enclosure therebetween that contains a headband stiffener. Furthermore, the first and second headband coverings are rotatable about the headband stiffener to permit the display of either the first headband covering or the second headband covering as the exterior of the visor.

Abstract: A dispenser housing includes an enclosure that receives a dispenser therein. The enclosure includes an opening that permits access to the dispenser. The dispenser housing further includes a first access member, a second access member, and a valve casing. The first access member is secured to the enclosure and is pivotally movable between a first position and a second position that provides access to the dispenser. The valve casing is secured to the enclosure and is pivotally movable between a first position and a second position that provides access to the dispenser. The second access member is positioned proximate to the first access member and is pivotally movable between a first position and a second position that provides access to the dispenser. The second access member includes a light source that illuminates the dispenser when the second access member resides in its second position.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing ice includes a bin and a shroud that contains a recess for housing a wheel. The shroud mounts to a front wall of the bin and includes a chute that communicates exterior to the bin. The shroud further includes a curved plate that directs ice into the recess so that the wheel can raise the ice to the chute. A plate mounts at an angle sloping downward towards the front wall of the bin to direct ice onto the curved plate of the shroud. A discharge chute assembly mounts to the ice bin and communicates with the chute of the shroud to permit the delivery of the ice exterior to the bin. A gear motor drives the wheel to facilitate the lifting of the ice to the chute of the shroud. Alternatively, in a combination ice and beverage dispenser, the plate mounted within the bin is replaced with a cold plate mounted within the bin at an angle sloping downward towards the front wall of the bin.

Abstract: A grip for grasping bags includes a member constructed from a suitably pliable material, such as silicon rubber or neoprene. The member has a durometer of hardness from 30 to 50. The grip further includes first and second supports positioned adjacent to the member. The first and second supports have teeth to assist in grasping.

Abstract: A convertible visor has a bill including a first bill covering attached to a second bill covering with a bill stiffener therebetween. The bill stiffener permits the reversing of the bill to display either the first bill covering or the second bill covering as the exterior of the visor. A headband attaches to the bill and includes a first headband covering attached to a second headband covering. The first and second headband coverings define an enclosure therebetween that contains a headband stiffener. Furthermore, the first and second headband coverings are rotatable about the headband stiffener to permit the display of either the first headband covering or the second headband covering as the exterior of the visor.

Abstract: A printing system includes a scanner, a graphics computer, and a printer. The scanner optically scans an image and reduces it to a series of pixels represented in gray scale. After the scanner finishes converting the image into pixels, the graphics computer converts the gray scale representations of each pixel into a pixel conveying uniform density color information. The graphics computer then outputs the uniform density pixels to a print control system of the printer. The print control system receives the uniform density pixels and controls a printhead to print a reproduction of the image on a substrate suspended within the printer. Alternatively, the print control system controls a pair of printheads positioned on opposite sides of the substrate suspended within the printer to print a reproduction of the image on one side of the substrate and a mirror of the image on the opposite side of the substrate such that the images are in registry.

Abstract: A substrate guide and tensioning apparatus utilized with a printing system ensures the substrate does not flex or curl during printing to eliminate color mismatch among printed pixels. The printing system includes a scanner, a graphics computer, and a printer. The scanner optically scans an image and reduces it to a series of pixels represented in gray scale. After the scanner finishes converting the image into pixels, the graphics computer converts the gray scale representations of each pixel into a pixel conveying uniform density color information. The graphics computer then outputs the uniform density pixels to a print control system of the printer. The print control system receives the uniform density pixels and controls a printhead to print a reproduction of the image on a substrate suspended within the printer.

Abstract: A carbonator and plain water booster includes a tank and a bladder mounted within the tank that separates the tank into a carbonated water chamber and a plain water chamber. The carbonated water chamber connects to a water source and a CO.sub.2 source to facilitate the forming of carbonated water, while the plain water chamber connects only to the water source. The pressure of the carbonated water and CO.sub.2 gas within the carbonated water chamber expands the bladder into the plain water chamber, resulting in the pressurizing of the water within the plain water chamber. That pressurization allows the dispensing of plain water with a beverage syrup at a pressure sufficient to maintain a proper mix ratio between the plain water and the beverage syrup.

Abstract: A composition for relieving stress, anxiety, grief, and depression includes GABA (gamma amino butyric acid), glutamine, glycine, magnesium, passion flower, primula officinalis, and vitamin B-6.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the level of ice in an ice storage container includes an emitter mounted within the ice storage container and a detector mounted directly opposite from the emitter. A pulse circuit drives the emitter such that it outputs a pulse train that triggers the detector. A receiver circuit outputs a signal responsive to the detection of the pulse train by the detector. A controller activates an ice maker responsive to the output of the receiver circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting irregularities in a ferrous pipe includes a magnetizing coil for inducing a magnetic field in the ferrous pipe. Inspection shoes measure changes in the induced magnetic field and produce signals representative of those changes. An analog-to-digital converter digitizes the measured signals representing the changes in the induced magnetic field. A processor processes the signals according to frequency to classify the signals by type of irregularity in the ferrous pipe. A screen and/or printer displays the frequency processed signals according to type of irregularity in the ferrous pipe.

Abstract: A grade stake driver includes a frame for supporting a hammer and a grade stake under the hammer. A shuttle secured to the hammer movably mounts onto the frame to connect the hammer to the frame. A hoist secured to the shuttle mounts onto the frame to permit the raising and lowering of the hammer. A receiver mounted on the frame outputs a control signal in response to a transmitted signal. A switch mounted on the frame transforms the control signal into an on/off signal. A relay mounted on the frame connects the hammer to a power source in response to the on/off signal, thereby effecting the driving of the grade stake.

Abstract: A component configuration for enhancing the serviceability of a dispenser includes a platform positionable on the housing of the dispenser. A refrigeration unit mounts at a center and rear portions of the platform. An electronic control is disposed within a housing that is mounted at a center portion of the platform adjacent to the refrigeration unit. The electronic control housing permits access to the electronic control from the front of the dispenser. An evaporator coil of the refrigeration unit includes concentric coil sections defined by an inner coil section, an intermediate coil section, and an outer coil section.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing ice includes a bin and a shroud that contains a recess for housing a wheel. The shroud mounts to a front wall of the bin and includes a chute that communicates exterior to the bin. The shroud further includes a curved plate that directs ice into the recess so that the wheel can raise the ice to the chute. A plate mounts at an angle sloping downward towards the front wall of the bin to direct ice onto the curved plate of the shroud. A discharge chute assembly mounts to the ice bin and communicates with the chute of the shroud to permit the delivery of the ice exterior to the bin. A gear motor drives the wheel to facilitate the lifting of the ice to the chute of the shroud. Alternatively, in a combination ice and beverage dispenser, the plate mounted within the bin is replaced with a cold plate mounted within the bin at an angle sloping downward towards the front wall of the bin.

Abstract: The present invention is a skeg cover which may be fitted onto either a damaged skeg or a new skeg to prevent shaft, gear, or propeller damage. The present invention is constructed such that it is inexpensive and may be quickly and easily installed by a boat owner.

Abstract: An ice bagger comprises an ice maker, an ice bagging unit which includes an automatic sanitation system, and a merchandiser. The ice maker delivers particulate ice into a hopper housed within the ice bagging unit. The ice bagging unit includes a bag carrier which retrieves a bag from a bag supply and opens the bag underneath a delivery chute communicating with the hopper via an auger. A scale supports the bag during its filling to measure the weight of the ice delivered into the bag from the hopper. When the scale registers the desired amount of ice, the auger ceases to deliver ice from the hopper into the delivery chute. The ice bagging unit further includes a sealer arm and heating element wherein, after the bag is filled, the sealer arm pivots to detach the bag from the bag carrier and force both sides of the open end of the bag against the heating element. The heating element then activates to seal the bag closed.

Abstract: An attachable member for creating sculptured nails and a method for using the same. The attachment member is designed to fit beneath the fingernail of the user upon the insertion of a template beneath the nail of the user. The template is the pattern upon which a brush-applied liquid powder acrylic mix or similar product is applied. Adjacent to the template and forming an outline for the pattern is a groove designed to define the edge and form it to a uniform thickness and shape and to catch the excess mix. Outside of the groove is an adjacent area for wiping off excess.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizes either a targetless approach or a target oriented approach to determine "attractors" in data fields of a physical property or set of physical properties of an object. A processing system implements the method which begins by first inputting a data field of a physical property or data fields of a set of physical properties of the object. Second, the processing system arranges the data of the data field or the data of each data field into a matrix. Third, the processing system transforms the data within the matrix or matrices to develop transformation matrices. Fourth, the processing system develops a base dichotomy matrix from each transformation matrix. Fifth, the processing system develops a full description set of matrices from the base dichotomy matrices.

Abstract: A clamp for securing a rod adjacent to a bone includes a rod holder constructed from shape memory material. A bone hook also constructed from shape memory material connects to the rod holder to affix the rod holder adjacent to the bone. The bone hook consists of a pincer that encircles the bone or, alternatively, two separate members coupled together during surgery to encircle the bone. A blocker constructed from shape memory material fits within the rod holder to secure the rod within the rod holder. The blocker permits slidable motion of the rod within the rod holder or, alternatively, rigidly secures the rod within the rod holder.

Abstract: An ice bagger comprises an ice maker, an ice bagging unit which includes an automatic sanitation system, and a merchandiser. The ice maker delivers particulate ice into a hopper housed within the ice bagging unit. The ice bagging unit includes a bag carrier which retrieves a bag from a bag supply and opens the bag underneath a delivery chute communicating with the hopper via an auger. A scale supports the bag during its filling to measure the weight of the ice delivered into the bag from the hopper. When the scale registers the desired amount of ice, the auger ceases to deliver ice from the hopper into the delivery chute. The ice bagging unit further includes a sealer arm and heating element wherein, after the bag is filled, the sealer arm pivots to detach the bag from the bag carrier and force both sides of the open end of the bag against the heating element. The heating element then activates to seal the bag closed.