Abstract: A system for detecting the presence of an object within a predetermined detection region. The system comprises a light source for producing a beam of light in the direction of the object to be detected and a pair of light detector units. The light detector units are angularly oriented so that their fields of view intersect to form a detection zone, the portion of the detection zone illuminated by the light beam defining a detection region. The outputs from said light detector units are coupled to an AND gate which, upon simultaneous receipt of output signals from both light detector units, emits a detection signal. If the object is disposed within the detection region and is illuminated by the light source, both light detector units will simultaneously emit an output signal, thereby causing the AND gate to emit a detection signal.

Abstract: A container assembly for holding a supply of drinking liquid includes a watertight container. A removable filter device extends into the container through an opening at the top. The filter device comprises an elongated cylindrical member having an inner wall divides the area inside of an upper chamber and a lower chamber and forms a sipping tube for accessing the lower chamber through the upper chamber water filter is disposed in the lower chamber. In using the container, air is drawn in through the upper chamber and drinking liquid is drawn out through the sipping straw by suction.

Abstract: A soft body brace which may be used for providing support for non-structural deformities caused by muscle imbalance and weakness comprises an outer layer of soft compressible plastic material and an inner layer of soft compressible plastic material, the inner layer being bonded to the outer layer of soft compressible plastic material. The inner and outer layers together define a shell sized and configured to circumscribe the truck of a person and having a top edge and a bottom edge, a posterior portion and a vertically split anterior portion. A plurality of transversely spaced vertically disposed reinforcing stays are fixedly sandwiched between the outer and inner layers for maintaining the shell in the desired shape. Curved pads are also sandwiched between the inner and outer layers for engaging the iliac crests of the wearer. Releasable fasteners are attached to the open anterior ends of the shell to aid in seccuring the shell on the wearer.

Abstract: A soft body brace for providing support for certain types of patients includes an inner layer of soft compressible plastic material and an outer layer of soft compressible plastic material, the outer layer of soft compressible plastic material being bonded to the inner layer of soft compressible plastic material and along with the inner layer defining a shell configured to circumscribe the torso of the wearer and having a split portion. A plurality of sleeves of flexible material are sandwiched between the inner and outer layers and a reinforcing stay is fixedly disposed in each sleeve for maintaining the brace in its intended shape. Releasable fasteners are attached to the split portion for maintaining the brace in place on the wearer. In making the soft body brace the shell is first fabricated and then shaped as necessary to conform to the shape of the intended wearer.

Abstract: The sperm count of a specimen of sperm is measured by exciting the specimen with a beam of substantially monochromatic light, then measuring the intensity of the intrinsic native fluorescence emitted or the scattered light from the specimen, and then determining the sperm count using the intensity measurements. The motitily of a specimen of sperm is determined by exciting the specimen with a beam of substantially monochromatic polarized light, then measuring the intensity of the parallel and perpendicular components of the intrinsic native fluorescene emitted or the intensity of the scattered light from the specimen at a predetermined wavelength; and then determining the motitily using the two intensity measurements with parallel and perpendicular polarizations.

Abstract: The devices are comprised of the figure of a male pig and a female pig with a written message at the base of the dolls.The dolls are attached to a refrigerator by magnetic strips on their backside. When a person presses the nose of the pig doll, a portion of the doll is inflated to a greater size. This expansion of the pig doll is to visually remind people that their own bodys will expand in size when they continually over-eat.