Abstract: The present invention relates to a refillable, recyclable ink cartridge having a rigid outer casing. The outer casing has a side wall section and first and second end caps. At least one ink compartment is defined between the side wall section and one or more interior walls. A plunger located in an end of each ink compartment remote from the ink outlet. The plunger is pushed through the ink towards the ink outlet by air pressure or other suitable biasing means.

Abstract: A light-directing apparatus for off-axial preferential-side distribution of light from a light emitter having an emitter axis, including a lens member positioned over the light emitter and a shield member. The lens member has a proximal end substantially transverse the emitter axis and an outer surface which may be configured for refracting light from the emitter. The shield member may be snugly received in a shield-receiving void of an inner surface of the lens member. Alternatively, the shield member is embedded by the lens member having been molded thereabout. Another aspect of this invention is a lighting fixture utilizing such light-directing apparatus.

Abstract: Vase apparatus and decorating methods for associating flowers, and other decorative items with cakes and other food products are described. Vase embodiments include a water-holding reservoir having a bottom wall, an upright rim, and plural flower-stem-receiving wells. Each well is defined by at least one well wall depending from the bottom wall and has an opening capable of receiving water from the reservoir. Vase embodiments may include a reservoir of various shapes and sizes. Vases may be placed on a cake or other food product permitting the cake or food product to be attractively and easily decorated.

Abstract: A pharmacy workflow management system including plural counters and a pharmacy workflow management method. In embodiments, the system includes a housing, a first automatic object counter and a cassette dispenser which feeds objects from a cassette mounted thereto to the first object counter. A second object counter counts objects fed from a cassette mounted to the cassette dispenser. A data processing platform within the housing is programmed with instructions that enable the system to compare the counts from the first and second object counters. The data processing platform also provides for management of pharmacy workflow by providing improved control of prescription fulfillment.

Abstract: Grout compositions having a binder including water-borne polyurethane and a filler are described herein. An accelerator component is provided to control the rate of grout curing, thereby decreasing the time required between grout application and grout use. This result is achieved while providing sufficient time for grout application. Grout may be light-transmissive and include light-transmissive binder and filler.

Abstract: A collapsible barrier has at least three integrally-formed wall sections with a plurality of contiguous living hinges, as a series, joining each adjacent pair of wall sections, the at least three wall sections including two endmost wall sections joinable to form an upright structure. A collapsible barrier may include a plurality of interconnected wall sections each having a top-facing side, where one of the top-facing sides has a pocket adapted for securely holding a light. A thermoformed unitary plastic object may include at least two wall sections, at least one hinge member connecting adjacent interior ones of the wall sections' longitudinal sides, the hinge member comprising a plurality of interconnected living hinges, where a nominal thickness of the at least one hinge members of the thermoformed unitary plastic object approximates 0.100 inch.

Abstract: A muffler mechanism that reduces the volume of an acoustic piano without altering the feel of the piano to a human pianist. One embodiment includes a highly configurable piano muffler kit that may be mounted into pianos of various models. The muffler mechanism includes a cushioning member, which muffles the sound of the hammer striking the string and reduces the volume of the sound made by the string's vibration. The muffler mechanism also includes shims that may be used to position the cushioning member between a hammer let-off position and the string. This may allow for muffled piano playing without a noticeable change in the resistance of the keys. The muffler mechanism is mounted using brackets with a relatively small footprint. This allows the piano muffler to be installed without removing all of the dampers.

Abstract: In a brass musical instrument having two substantially parallel adjacent braces between portions of the instrument windpath tubing, the improvement comprising a cross-brace extending in planes substantially parallel to a plane of the parallel braces and having two opposed edges each with two spaced contact regions secured to a respective one of the parallel braces and a recessed region between the contact regions, thereby allowing elimination of other windpath bracing and providing a beneficial site for sound-modifying components.

Abstract: A self-ligating orthodontic bracket with a replaceable closing spring member detachably connected to the upper structure of a tooth-attachable base member. Particular preferred embodiments relate to the form of detachable connection of the closing spring member with the upper structure, with one particularly preferred embodiment being torsion tabs that are reversibly deformable to maintain pivoting engagement of spring member and upper structure when desired and easy removal of the spring members when desired.

Abstract: The elastically re-expandable sealing tape for sealing a joint includes an elastically expanding foam strip of rectangular cross-section which is held in a compressed state. This is accomplished by means of at least one releasable seam, which extends across the sealing tape and consists of at least one thread, which passes through the foam strip.

Abstract: A low-voltage LED lighting system and method for installation thereof in which the system includes: (a) at least one LED lighting fixture each having one or more LEDs; (b) at least one remotely-located power driver; and (c) interconnections between the at least one LED fixture and the at least one driver using communication network cabling and standard 8P8C network connectors. Preferred lighting fixtures are recessed lighting fixtures adapted for ceiling mounting.

Abstract: A trim for a motorcycle windshield having windshield-adjacent storage compartments along the lower windshield edge. The trim includes a body with a shield portion and a mounting portion of rigid sheet material sufficiently flexible to conform to the windshield surface. The shield portion has a length for spanning the full width of the windshield lower edge and a vertical dimension sufficient to reach to a level along the tops of the windshield-adjacent storage compartments. The mounting portion extends below the shield portion to engage existing windshield-mounting hardware for securement of the trim to the motorcycle. The trim is secured to the motorcycle windshield by loosening the existing windshield-mounting hardware from a fairing at the windshield and pulling the top of the fairing away from the windshield.

Abstract: A wireless electrical stimulating device for living body comprises a light source unit for irradiating an optical signal; a light source control unit for controlling the optical signal irradiated from the light source unit; and an electrical stimulating unit for converting the optical signal received from the light source unit into an electrical signal to generate electrical stimulation. In the wireless electrical stimulating device for living body, the electrical stimulating unit comprises a battery for supplying current; an optical switch for detecting the optical signal irradiated from the light source unit to switch current supplied from the battery; and a stimulating electrode for providing the current switched by the optical switch to a living body.

Abstract: A guide bushing for a reciprocating nailer includes a body having a cylindrical portion and a tapered portion. An aperture extends through the body for receiving a driving rod. The tapered portion of the guide bushing extends from the nailer and is configured to fit into tight spaces, such as corners and along the tongues or grooves of, for instance, tongue and groove flooring, to fully support a nail as it is driven into the tight space. The guide bushing can be a multiple part or multiple stage bushing for more flexibility and utility. The aperture through the center of the bushing can also be stepped to cooperate with a stepped driving rod for closer holding of narrower nails. A boot can be placed at the tip of the guide bushing to provide a cushion and further retention of a nail held by the nailer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adaptive storage and management of pharmaceutical product containers at a pharmacy are described. Pharmaceutical product containers are managed so that the containers for more-frequently-used pharmaceutical products are stored among plural storage locations more-efficiently accessible to a pharmacy workstation. Containers for less-frequently- used pharmaceutical products are managed so that the containers for such products are stored among the storage locations which are less-accessible to the pharmacy workstation. As the frequency of pharmaceutical product usage changes, the inventory of pharmaceutical product containers is managed adaptively so that the containers used most frequently are stored at locations more-easily accessible to the pharmacy workstation, thereby facilitating fulfillment of prescriptions by pharmacy personnel.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing sheet material from a sheet material dispenser are described. Dispenser embodiments include drive and tension rollers supported within a housing forming a nip therebetween. Pulling of sheet material through the nip and against the drive roller rotates the drive roller. Dispenser embodiments may include a cutting mechanism powered by drive roller rotation with an improved carrier-supported blade permitting highly-efficient dispenser operation. Dispenser embodiments may include a sheet material tail length adjuster which permits the attendant to shorten or lengthen the tail length extending away from the dispenser. Dispenser embodiments may further include a sheet material conservation feature which imposes a delay between dispense cycles encouraging use of a single sheet of material and discouraging sheet material waste.