Abstract: A drumstick and method of making it are disclosed, wherein a rigid ring is fixed to a drumstick body. The ring is disposed substantially at a pivot point located at a position disposed sufficiently rearwardly from the drumstick body tip that the majority of the weight of the body is disposed forwardly of the ring. The predetermined distance is determined by supporting the drumstick body between a fulcrum and a scale, and moving the fulcrum and the scale relative to one another until the scale reads a certain percentage of the weight of the drumstick body to determine where the pivot point is located on the body.

Abstract: A product branding apparatus and methods as disclosed relate to a branding element having indicia configured in the shape of a desired design to be branded onto a product and a heating conductor for transferring heat from a heating apparatus to the branding element.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for the communication for a confined area of a facility. Personal identification information of a group member into at least one of a set of stations distributed throughout the confined area. Monetary deposit information for the member group is received, and transaction information is received from at least one cashless station. Transaction reports are created.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a magnetoencephalography and method employing a portable cart having a SQUID dewar mounted in an inverted manner thereon, and having a headrest assembly mounted on the cart for supporting the head of a patient and forming a portion of the dewar. The headrest assembly includes an array of magnetic sensors of the SQUID dewar for responding to electrical activity of the brain of the head.

Abstract: A device and method as disclosed relates to a bed mountable restraining device for confining a living being such as an infant, or a small animal, to a mattress of a bed. The device includes a base including a sheet of pliable material which is suitably sized to fit on the top surface of the mattress. A plurality of mounting straps are fixed to the base. An enclosure is attached to the base, whereby the adjustable straps may be releasably attached to the mattress by securing the straps over portions of the mattress.

Abstract: A system and method of communication for a confined area of a facility are disclosed. Personal identification information of a guest is received into at least one of a set of stations distributed throughout the confined area to register the guest. Demographic information regarding the registered guest is received. The movement of the guest is monitored over time, and the guest movement information is stored. Reports are created on the demographic and movements of the guest.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to a photoresist composition and a method of using the photoresist in the fabrication of reticles or features on a semiconductor substrate. The photoresist composition and the method are designed to reduce the variation in critical dimension of features across a surface of a substrate, where the variation in critical dimension is a result of localized resist loading. The photoresist composition is useful when the imaging system is G-line, H-line, or I-line, and the photoresist composition includes a sensitizer which works in combination with a DUV photoresist including a PAC, to sensitize the photoresist to the G-line, H-line and I-line imaging.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include methods and apparatus for processing vegetables having a root crown including applying opposing forces to the vegetables to separate the roots or portions thereof at or near the root crown from the vegetable, and packaging the vegetables in a container.

Abstract: We have discovered that the formation of particulate inclusions at the surface of an aluminum alloy article, which inclusions interfere with a smooth transition from the alloy surface to an overlying aluminum oxide protective film can be controlled by maintaining the content of mobile impurities within a specific range and controlling the particulate size and distribution of the mobile impurities and compounds thereof; by heat-treating the aluminum alloy at a temperature less than about 330° C.; and by creating the aluminum oxide protective film by employing a particular electrolytic process. When these factors are taken into consideration, an improved aluminum oxide protective film is obtained.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments of the invention, there is provided a method and an apparatus relating to an infeed for positioning the green onions in a generally horizontal position on a conveyor and a transition conveyor for transporting the horizontally disposed green onions and transporting them to a substantially vertical disposition to present them to a peeler for removing the outer skins of the onion and a de-rooter for shortening or removing the roots from the onions.

Abstract: We have discovered that the formation of particulate inclusions at the surface of an aluminum alloy article, which inclusions interfere with a smooth transition from the alloy surface to an overlying aluminum oxide protective film, can be controlled by maintaining the content of mobile and nonmobile impurities within a specific range and controlling the particulate size and distribution of the mobile and nonmobile impurities and compounds thereof; by heat-treating the aluminum alloy at a temperature less than about 330° C.; and by creating the aluminum oxide protective film by employing a particular electrolytic process. When these factors are taken into consideration, an improved aluminum oxide protective film is obtained.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of the invention relate to a system and method of message communication for a confined area of a facility. A personal identification information of one member of a group is entered into at least one of a set of stations distributed throughout the confined area. A message is displayed in response to the receipt of the personal identification information. A request to find the location of the members of the group can be entered into at least one of the group of stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus performs high resolution imaging. The disclosed apparatus includes a low temperature SQUID sensor mounted in close proximity to a dewar thin window. A radiation shield has an extension surrounding the detection coil.

Abstract: A storage device and methods for supporting elements such as media packages, books and others, in an upright side-by-side configuration are disclosed. The device includes a body having an inclined element support surface having a sufficient incline to cause at least one of the elements to be biased to fall under the force of gravity toward one direction and align itself against a vertical surface.

Abstract: Storage devices and methods for storing and accessing items that are adapted to support an item in at least two positions, a stored position and an ejected position. In the stored position, an item may be aligned with adjacent items to allow a user to view a perimeter edge of each item. A latch support secures the item in the stored position, and permits the unlatching of the item to permit it to rotate under force of gravity to a stable ejected position. In the ejected position, a portion of the desired item protrudes the alignment, allowing a user to easily grasp and remove the desired item without disturbing adjacent items.

Abstract: A seat support platform is pivotally supported on a base member. A rotatable locking element is provided on the platform to selectively lock frame members of a saddle thereonto. The base is adapted to be mounted to a support frame/chassis such as that of a stationary bicycle or the like. A resilient biasing arrangement enables the saddle to move from side to side relative to the base member to enable a user to sway from side to side in a more natural manner when riding on the saddle.

Abstract: According to certain disclosed embodiments of the invention, there is provided a wind power management system to monitor performance of wind turbine generators situated in wind farms, each having a number of wind turbine generators. A real-time wind power portfolio manager receives and stores in real-time data being produced by the wind turbine generator parks. The manager has a reporting module for generating profile reports for the performance of the wind turbine generators. The manager has a server to provide the reports on-line regarding the wind turbine generators. The server stores the real-time data to enable the reports to be based on the history of the project for each one of the parks.

Abstract: According to at least one of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention, there is disclosed a rack mountable computer component which is in the form of an open computer component or blade construction which is adapted to be mounted in a generally upright or vertical disposition within a rack. The operative components such as mother boards are mounted at the front of the component or blade to permit access by the user thereto. The operative components are cooled by vertical air flow relative to the mounted blade to facilitate cooling thereof.