Abstract: A disposable toothbrush with a built-in reservoir (2) for dentifrice including a piston (18), a cord (16), and a rotatable spindle (21) for forcing the dentifrice from the storage compartment through a conduit (7) in the neck portion (6) to the bristles (10) in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A ballast for providing electrical energy to one or more fluorescent bulbs having electrical discharge filaments. The ballast includes a pre-heating circuit having a first resonant frequency, coupled to pre-heat the filaments. An electron-discharge circuit having a second resonant frequency is coupled to ignite an electrical discharge through a gas between the filaments. Driver circuitry provides power to the pre-heating and electron-discharge circuits in succession, so as to ignite the one or more bulbs. The driver circuitry first provides power to the pre-heating circuit substantially at the first resonant frequency and subsequently provides power to the electron-discharge circuit substantially at the second resonant frequency.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for adaptive adjustment of the phase and amplitude controllers that are needed in Feed Forward Linearized Amplifiers (FFLA) to balance, first, the desired signal component and then the distortion component for the eventual full suppression of the latter. The particular advantage of the methods of the invention is that the adaptive adjustment is achieved without the need for additional RF reference or pilot signals and without RF correlators as proposed in prior art; rather, it is based solely on envelope-detected samples of the signal at two test points and on perturbations of the quiescent operating points of the amplifiers and/or other components, such as vector modulators, by appropriately selected voltage patterns. All these operations are at base band frequencies which makes the apparatus for the adaptive control implementable in simple digital circuitry.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method for simultaneous bilateral retinal digital angiography. The apparatus is provided as an optical system containing two optical modules which act as retinal ophthalmoscopes with image capture capacity in real time. Each optical module is positioned in front of one eye, allowing simultaneous imaging of both retinas on a screen placed in a position convenient for the operator, allowing the operator to visualize both images simultaneously. The invention provides for the use of agents of contrast for angiographical study. In a preferred embodiment, the operator aligns and focuses the apparatus manually with the aid of a joystick. A trigger located on or near the joystick allows image capturing. In another preferred embodiment, the apparatus is controlled by a semi-automated mode of operation, in which the optical modules are aligned manually while fine alignment for pupil centralization is done by a motorized system.

Abstract: A power chuck system is disclosed featuring a motor, a harmonic drive and a chuck. The harmonic drive is arranged with an input member driven by direct connection with the motor rotor, and an output member directly connected to a long stroke jaw actuation device, providing an integral unit which rotates together with the spindle during machining. During jaw adjustment, an electromagnetic brake releasably connects the motor stator with the spindle and chuck body. Gripping force adjustment is achieved by adjusting the motor torque. The inertial forces of the rotating components are overcome by controlling the motor torque and velocity as gripping ensues, and therefore both high and low gripping forces may be accurately achieved with high speed jaw adjustment. Jaw position and workpiece diameter measurement with a feedback capability are made by use of a rotary encoder.

Abstract: A puzzle and game apparatus constructed of elements forming a geometrical pattern, the shape of each element providing information about its placement in the overall puzzle. In the preferred embodiment, the curved geometry game apparatus is fabricated as a plurality of elements of soft, resilient pieces of foam rubber, which are curve-shaped each with an interlocking tab and a recess formed on either of its ends. Multiple curve-shaped elements are interlockable by insertion of the tab of one element into the recess of another one. In this fashion, rings of similarly curved elements can be formed, and these rings can be placed one within another to form an overall circular shape. When the circular shape containing all the rings is disassembled, the individual elements do not immediately appear to fall into any order for reconstructing the overall shape, and further, the curve-shaped elements may have different arc lengths, which increases the difficulty of identifying them as being part of the same group.

Abstract: A flexible cuff for wrapping around a part of a limb, that is comprised of multiple biosensing patch units of a required size and shape to fit the body contour for applying to an area of skin. The cuff has an array of flexible porous (polymer) electrodes held at constant potential with alternating polarities. A network of supply tubes connected to an external liquid reservoir provides a slow supply of medicated fluid to each electrode. A pump/titration regulator is in communication with the transdermal electrode to regulate permeant flow to the skin. An electric and an electromagnetic field applied through the cuff then causes the drug to be rapidly absorbed throughout the skin. The electrodes within the cuff, or the applicator pads which it is comprised of, can be additionally used for applying electromagnetic, Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation, and for Electrical Muscle Stimulation.

Abstract: A three cycle, two-stroke internal combustion engine from which work can be extracted in two directions. In the preferred embodiment, the inventive two-stroke engine is constructed as a cylinder having a reciprocating piston slidably seated therein, with the piston defining a compression and combustion chamber between the cylinder wall and each side of the piston. The two-stroke engine can provide work in bi-directional fashion from the two combustion chambers acting in phase. A piston rod is provided with reciprocating linear motion, and a mechanical converter is used to change the linear movement to rotational motion providing torque from which rotational power can be extracted for machinery. In an alternative embodiment, the cylinder is shaped with a bottom portion which is split into two sections, in which a bifurcated piston is seated in reciprocating fashion.

Abstract: An extendible-retractable device, which is made up of a number of interconnected members and to which a suitable tool may be attached. The device makes it possible to continually change the position of the tool as a task is being performed. The device includes members which are attached to each other through flexible cables so that relatively small movements of a handle or similar device in the hand of the user results is relatively large extension or retraction movements of the farthest member which carries the tool.

Abstract: An improved protective breathing mask comprising fire-resistant stretchable material shaped as a hood for wearing over and enclosing the head. An access opening allows the head to be placed therethrough such that a substantially airtight closure is provided at the neck. The mask includes a visor and filter materials sealed to the stretchable material. The improvement to the basic mask construction is a breathing adaptor provided on the interior side of the mask face, which encloses a one-way respirator. The breathing adaptor maintains the mouth and nose spaced apart from the filter, and efficiently directs breathing efforts to equalize inhalation airflow via substantially all of the filter, while the one-way valve eases exhalation airflow and reduces condensation on the interior side of the visor. Thus, filter utilization is improved and the filter protection time is extended, for increased safety.

Abstract: A weapons simulator in which the rifle barrel is modified as a cylinder provided with a piston designed for movement therein, to provide a recoil effect. The rifle barrel itself serves as the cylinder and the piston is arranged for sliding motion therein, to provide the recoil effect, while actuating a rifle bolt mechanism. An end of the piston is provided with O-rings to seal it against the inside walls of the barrel. A portion of the barrel inside walls is conically shaped, defining a gap which the O-rings do not seal. Travel of the piston end through this barrel portion enables rapid compressed air exhaustion via the gap, simulating recoil. The conically-shaped barrel portion also guides piston re-entry into the cylinder, during a retraction motion of the rifle bolt mechanism.

Abstract: An Internet/telephone adaptor device to link a regular telephone call with an Internet call without requiring software that is specific to each proprietary encoding scheme. The device is designed to operate with a data network terminal haling audio/data conversion means for reversibly converting voice signals to a data format for telephone-like communication over a data network. In a preferred embodiment, the adaptor device is provided as an add-on accessory to existing computer terminals having a sound card, making them capable of handling Internet calls. The adaptor is connected both to the computer and to the telephone line, enabling linkage of regular and Internet calls. With the adaptor device, a user can easily arrange conference calls between Internet users and telephone line users. A hold call feature is also provided to simplify user handling of calls.

Abstract: A flexible cuff for wrapping around a part of a limb, that is comprised of multiple patch units of a required size and shape to fit the body contour for applying to an area of skin. The cuff has an array of flexible (polymer) electrodes held at constant potential with alternating polarities. A network of supply tubes connected to an external liquid reservoir, provides a slow supply of a medicated fluid to each electrode.An electric field applied through the cuff then causes the drug to be rapidly absorbed throughout the skin. The electrodes within the cuff, or applicator pads which it is comprised of, can be additionally be used for applying Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation, and for Electrical Muscle Stimulation. Alternately, the cuff can be used to assist rehabilitation exercise therapy conditioning in combination with Electrical Muscle Stimulation.

Abstract: A weighing device dedicated for use on a rotary table of rotary machine such as a rotary fluid filling machine. The weighing device includes a load cell arranged perpendicular to a radial line emanating from the center of rotation, in tangential orientation to the direction of table rotation. Due to this orientation, deflection of the load cell beam under load will not produce errors resulting from centrifugal forces acting on the rotary machine, so that an accurate weight reading is provided.

Abstract: A therapeutic fingernail treatment device which injects active ingredients via a specially-designed nozzle, to remedy fingernail fungus infections. In a preferred embodiment, the device is constructed as a spray nozzle which attaches to the fingernail, and which is enclosed in a sleeve sealed around the fingernail. By developing cyclical high and low pressure conditions in the sleeve, active ingredients are injected into the space between the fingernail and the fingertip, to achieve the desired therapeutic effects. Thus, fingernail fungus infections can be treated and eliminated. Advantages of the invention include conservation of the usage of active ingredients by recycling them, contrary to existing techniques. The use of a sealed sleeve eliminates wastage of ingredients. The provision of a contoured spray nozzle insures increased efficiency by providing good contact between the active ingredients and the entire fingernail area.

Abstract: A refrigerator door-mounted beverage dispenser device for use with bottled beverages, to control beverage flow during dispensing from a bottle. The device comprises a generally cylindrical housing engaging the mouth of the bottle, an operating lever pivotably attached to the housing and movable between upper and lower positions, a self-closing flow valve, and a valve actuator operable with the operating lever to open the flow valve by applying pressure thereto while it is in either of the upper and lower positions, to enable controlled beverage flow. In a preferred embodiment, the beverage dispenser device itself is threaded onto the beverage bottle, sealing it closed. A retractable lever is arranged to displace a ball valve and enable liquid beverage flow into a cup.

Abstract: A diffusion cell for ex-vivo transcorneal drug penetration studies. The diffusion cell design enables control of the pressure and the flow in the acceptor chamber, and can be used for in-vitro studies of the effect of intraocular pressure on transcorneal drug penetration. Validation tests were carried out and reproducible results of the transcorneal drug penetration experiments were obtained with a practical experiment protocol.

Abstract: A printer control device which operates via a cordless link to control a dedicated printer in a shared access mode, allowing access by an alternate computer. In the preferred embodiment, the cordless printer control device operates in an environment in which a host computer is directly connected to a dedicated printer which operates in a normal printing mode. The device is provided as a pair of compact add-on units, a transmitter unit connected to a portable computer and a receiver/switch unit connected to the dedicated printer. The pair of units operate to provide an infrared transmission link by which an alternate/portable computer can detect a break in the normal printing mode and temporarily access the dedicated printer for printing tasks. The receiver/switch unit is provided with a time-out switch which operates to allow the alternate computer to gain access to the printer only if during a predetermined interval, the dedicated printer is not busy with a printing task already assigned to it.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for force-opening doors, particularly effective with respect to steel doors and other types of solidly built doors. In a preferred embodiment, an anchoring unit carrying a ram unit having a ram member is aligned with a side of a door frame. The anchoring unit is anchored to the door by moving a pair of clamping members towards each other into clamping engagement with the opposite sides of the door. The clamping members are moved towards each other by a force-multiplying device, preferably a hydraulic device. Once anchored to the door, the ram member is driven outwardly of the ram unit by a force-multiplying device, against the side of the door frame to force-open the door. The ram unit includes an abutting member positionable to abut against the inside face of the door facing the ram unit, to assist in force-opening the door when the ram member is driven against the door frame.