Abstract: A reduced material fastener has a shank cross-section selected to provide a parting line. Having a parting line means that the fastener may be made using two opposing dies, including roller dies, to cold form the cross-section. The cross-sections do not have to be symmetrical with respect to the parting line as long as hypothetical dies can be separated. Typical fasteners include common nails. Cross-sections having parting lines may have fin-like protuberances that result in less material being used for the same overall outline as a round cross-section. A computer aided design methodology and a nail making apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tote box retainer made from a cable tie having a tear tab that is attached to the main strap of the tie on one side near a strap-teeth, engaging-pawl enclosure and extending alongside the enclosure in a direction inline with the strap, there being at least one channel in the strap between the pawl enclosure and edge of the tear tab closest to the enclosure producing a web that connects the strap and enclosure wherein a centerline in the channel does not rotate through more than about 60° and the web does not extend completely to the edge of the strap opposite the tear tab leaving a thick portion in the strap for reinforcement. Other variations replace the thick portion with a second tear tab reinforcing an extension of the web or relocate the web away from the pawl enclosure.

Abstract: An 18F isotope-labeled FDG radiopharmaceutical is stabilized against degradation in radiochemical purity due to radiolysis using selected amounts of ethyl alcohol that depend on the activity concentration of the 18F with due regard to limits set by various pharmacopoeia standards. Any of the well-know production methods for the FDG may be used and the ethyl alcohol added at several stages, preferably as part of the standard hydrolysis step. This particular radiopharmaceutical is used extensively in diagnostic imaging with a Positron Emission Tomography technique.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved retail process and apparatuses for putting customized marking devices, commonly called rubber stamps, in the hands of a customer in a convenient period of time such as five minutes after data entry. Prior art processes make stamps in a batch mode, generally forming text on a separate rubber sheet, cutting the sheet, and adhering individual rubber stamps to stamp mounts taken from inventory. The instant process forms text and/or graphics on stamp mounts that are complete except for the marking data on the rubber and an index card. A special purpose one-stamp-at-a-time laser engraver can be used with the process. As an alternative, a multiple cavity fixture can be used in conjunction with existing laser engravers. A further alternative uses a photopolymer method of producing single stamps.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing the 18F isotope from water enriched with the 18O isotope using high energy protons from a cyclotron. The apparatus has a cyclotron target cavity that is connected to a fluid loop that contains a water reservoir, pump, and pressure regulator. Water is continuously recirculated through the target cavity to increase reliability. After irradiation long enough to produce a desired amount of 18F, water in the target loop is diverted through an 18F extraction device before being returned to the target loop. The returning water may also be purified and additional water added to the target loop as needed to permit continuous irradiation and production of 18F.

Abstract: A beverage package that in one embodiment can be described as a musical wine bag has a sound emitting device that plays a tune when a beverage container is pressed into the beverage package. The sound emitting device is commercially available and has an integral switch that is actuated by pressing, e.g., the top and bottom of the device together. A specially designed locator positions the sound emitting device underneath it in the bottom of the beverage package and positions beverage containers so that the sound emitting device speaker is not covered. The locator is further designed to orient beverage containers into upright positions and transmit sufficient force from smaller ones sited away from the sound emitting device to actuate the device.

Abstract: An aid for the game of golf for assisting a golfer determine the slope or break of a golf green. The aid is placed on the green and the slope is read in two directions by sighting a level on top of the aid. Contact is made with the green by using contacts with preferred shapes. In particular, one preferred shape is a substantial segment of a golf ball complete with dimples. Additionally, in order to increase accuracy of the aid, its weight and the location of the green contacts are arranged so that each contact weighs on the green with the weight of a golf ball. Three green contacts are deemed preferable. A preferred level is a large area circular bubble level.

Abstract: A condiment dispenser that has a handle of sufficient length to reduce the forces necessary to dispense condiments and/or make the dispenser safe to use over a backyard barbecue grill. In one version, one end of the handle has an attached cylinder having grooves or slots and two or more condiment containers have protrusions that engage the slots so that the containers may be mounted and de-mounted as in a bayonet coupling. Opposite the protrusion end, the containers have lids and rotatable tops, each having a hole or holes that allow regulation of the flow of condiments out of the containers. Another version uses a unitary lid and top having multiple protrusions and at least one hole, so that when secured to the handle, tenderizing and marinading can be undertaken at the same time. Other versions relate to various ways of securing the condiment containers to the handle.

Abstract: The invention provides a structure comprising a high temperature superconducting layer deposited on a ceramic polycrystalline ferrite plate suitable for making commercial microwave devices. In one embodiment, the high temperature superconductor is yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO), the ferrite is yttrium iron garnet (YIG), and the microwave device is a phase shifter. The method of making this embodiment comprises, polishing the YIG plate, depositing biaxially oriented yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) to form a crystalline template using an ion-beam-assisted-deposition technique, depositing a CeO.sub.2 lattice matching buffer layer using pulsed laser deposition, depositing YBCO using pulsed laser deposition, and annealing the YBCO in oxygen. Etching the YBCO to form a meanderline patterned waveguide results in a high figure-of-merit microwave phase shifter when the device is cooled with liquid nitrogen and an external magnetic field is applied.

Abstract: In a photodetector amplifier scheme, the invention compensates for variations in photodetector quiescent current by sampling the amplifier output and subtracting a controllable current from the input to the amplifier. When a chopper or other modulator is used on the optical signal, the samples are taken periodically during the chopping cycle. This sampled signal is processed by a combination of gain and low pass filtering. The result of this processing controls a current source which subtracts a significant fraction of the average quiescent current from the total detector current. In a typical application, the amplifier is of the resettable current integrator type. In this case, the invention makes it possible to use smaller integration capacitors resulting in larger signals than if the quiescent current were not reduced by the operation of the invention. The gain, frequency response, and range of compensated quiescent currents and can be altered by changing timing signals.