Abstract: A container for dispensing liquids or gels, where the container includes a light module, a sound module, or both. When the contents of the container are dispensed by the user, light is automatically dispersed inside the container and into the contents to provide a desired visual effect for attraction of consumers to the product.

Abstract: A fluid treatment and media management device having concentric inner and outer perforated cylinders defining a chamber therebetween for containing a media. A case surrounds the perforated cylinders and forms an annular space between the case and the outer perforated cylinder. Respective end caps engage the opposite ends of the case and perforated cylinders to support such members. One or both of the end caps provide ports to the central core of the inner perforated cylinder, to the media chamber and to the annular space. The media can be removed from the fluid treatment and media management device without disassembly of the device for the purpose of disposal and/or regeneration of the media.

Abstract: An exercise device (10) having a frame (12) with a base member (30) and a handle member (20). The base member (30) includes spaced-apart cage members (32, 34) with respective curved midsections (40, 42) for holding a ball (14) therebetween in a deformed manner. The frame (12) also includes a handle member (20) with curved portions thereof which define handles (16, 18) for gripping by the user. The midsection of the handle member (20) has a curved portion (28) which forms a stop against which the deformed ball (14) abuts.

Abstract: A consumer credit information data base for storing current consumer credit information, as well as historical credit data information. On-line computerized systems can access the data base and present current and historical credit data information to users so that better assessments can be made as to the credit worthiness of a consumer.

Abstract: An engine mounted for mobile movement. The engine has associated therewith aftermarket apparatus which can be switched in and out of operation with respect to the engine. Various sensors sense respective engine operating parameters which are displayed on visual displays. Observers can thus visually see the difference in operation of the engine with the aftermarket switched into operation, and switched out of operation.

Abstract: A mail box having a depository vault overlying a secure compartment. A main door and a flag door are independently rotatable to open and close an opening in the depository vault. The main door is attached to a mail platform for receiving mail in the depository vault. If the mail placed on the mail platform is incoming mail, the main door is rotated by the postman to the closed position to rotate the platform and deliver the incoming mail to the underlying secure compartment. If the mail placed on the platform is outgoing mail, the flag door is rotated by the user of the mail box to the closed position to provide an indication to the postman that the mail is to be picked up and delivered to the destination.

Abstract: A bipolar semiconductor overvoltage protection circuit presents less capacitance to a communication line. The overvoltage protection circuit includes an overvoltage protection device that is biased with a voltage to not only reduce the capacitance thereof, but also to reduce the change in capacitance as a function of frequency. Changes in communication line voltages thus change the capacitance of the overvoltage protection device less, resulting in the ability to allow the transmission of high capacity data protocols with reduced error rates.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection circuit for protecting low voltage, high speed digital communication lines. The circuit is integrated into a semiconductor chip and includes a diode bridge, a transient voltage suppressor (TVS) device and resistors through which a bias voltage can be applied to the TVS device to reduce the capacitance hereof.

Abstract: Cutting apparatus having a ram axis gear tube (32) equipped with internal threads engageable with external threads (48) of a main shaft (42). A tool can be fixed to the main shaft (42). The external threads (48) of the main shaft (42) are formed on external splines (44). A main shaft rotation gear (46) has internal splines (41) mating with the external splines (44) of the main shaft (42). Rotation of the ram axis gear tube (32) thus causes the main shaft (42) to move axially via the internal and external threads. Rotation of the main shaft rotation gear (46) causes rotation of the main shaft (42). The tool fixed to the main shaft (42) can thus undergo axial and rotational movements. A motor (74) can be coupled to the main shaft (42) and a motor shaft (63) extended through the ram axis gear tube (32) and the main shaft (42). The motor shaft (63) can drive a linear gear (68) of a cross slide assembly (24) and thus radially move a tool fixed to the cross slide assembly (24).

Abstract: A device for the treatment of an influent with a porous media. The influent passes radially through the porous media and into an internal volume of the device. The treated influent then passes through an open check valve in the internal volume, and then to downstream equipment. During a backwash operation, a backwash fluid is passed into the internal volume of the device in a direction to close the check valve. The blocked path in the internal volume of the device causes the backwash fluid to pass radially outwardly into the porous media and fluidize the same.

Abstract: A dual key fob adapted for employing the wireless printed circuit boards of two other wireless entry key fobs. A top and bottom cover of the composite key fob houses the two wireless printed circuit boards together with a battery holder, power transfer interfaces for coupling battery power to the wireless printed circuit boards, and two elastomeric key shorting members with push buttons accessible through openings in the top and bottom covers for allowing a person to operated the respective circuits of either wireless printed circuit board.

Abstract: A stacked arrangement of integrated circuit chips are bonded to a lead frame. Two side-by-side integrated circuit chips have bottom contact pads bonded to a lead frame structure having contact terminals. The two side-by-side integrated circuits have top contact pads bonded to an overlying integrated circuit chip. A low profile integrated circuit assembly is achieved without using bond wires or preforms, and which is well adapted for SO-8 packages.

Abstract: Trenchless pipe replacement apparatus equipped with articulated lead sections that flex and accommodate an irregular path of an old pipe line. The articulated lead sections are coupled together by a flexible joint that allows the lead section assembly to flex and follow the path of the old pipe line that may be irregular due to misaligned pipe sections, dropped joints and other irregularities.

Abstract: A motor module (51) holding a plurality of motors as a unit. The motor module (51) is adapted for mounting to the main body (49) of a reinstatement cutting machine (20). The motor module (51) has a ram motor (134) and a rotate motor 136) fixed therein and connected to respective gear shafts (36) and (52) extending from the main body (49). A cross slide motor (74) and corresponding shaft (70) are fixed to the motor module (51) but allowed to rotate with rotating apparatus in the main body (49).

Abstract: A transient suppressor circuit for use in suppressing transient voltages superimposed on AC power conductors. The transient suppressor circuit includes a threshold thyristor connected in series with a capacitor. The transient suppressor circuit is connected across the AC power conductors. In response to a transient voltage superimposed on the AC power conductors, the thyristor is triggered into conduction. The series capacitor has a capacitance such that it represents a low impedance to the transient voltage, but a high impedance to the AC power line frequency. Accordingly, the triggering of the thyristor shunts high frequency transient currents to ground via the low impedance of the capacitor, but does not shunt low frequency AC power currents to ground because of the high capacitive impedance. Circuit fuses are thus not blown in response to low frequency overvoltages.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip is attached to bifurcated finger members of a lead frame. A pocket is formed between the semiconductor chip and the lead frame. An opening is formed between the bifurcated fingers for injecting into the pocket a voltage variable material to provide electrostatic discharge protection to circuits connected to the lead frame.

Abstract: Cutting apparatus having a ram axis gear tube (32) equipped with internal threads engageable with external threads (48) of a main shaft (42). A tool can be fixed to the main shaft (42). The external threads (48) of the main shaft (42) are formed on external splines (44). A main shaft rotation gear (46) has internal splines (41) mating with the external splines (44) of the main shaft (42). Rotation of the ram axis gear tube 32 thus causes the main shaft (42) to move axially via the internal and external threads. Rotation of the main shaft rotation gear (46) causes rotation of the main shaft (42). The tool fixed to the main shaft (42) can thus undergo axial and rotational movements. A motor (74) can be coupled to main shaft (42) and a motor shaft (63) extended through the ram axis gear tube (32) and the main shaft (42). The motor shaft (63) can drive a linear gear (68) of a cross slide assembly (24) and thus radially move a tool fixed to the cross slide assembly (24).

Abstract: A telephone communication system having a cordless telephone operating in conjunction with a cellular transceiver. A subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC) is controlled by a microprocessor in the cellular transcriber. The SLIC can be controlled to provide standard telephone service to other telephone sets, and includes circuits for testing for foreign voltages on the telephone lines prior to providing SLIC service. Standard RJ-11 jacks are utilized for coupling the telephone sets to the communication system to provide standard telephone service by way of the cellular network.

Abstract: A semiconductor device with two epitaxial layers formed on a substrate. The middle layer of epitaxial material can be formed thin and with an appropriate doping concentration to provide a low avalanche breakdown voltage with a negative resistance characteristic. The top layer of epitaxial material is doped with the same concentration as the substrate to provide a two-terminal thyristor device with symmetrical bidirectional operating characteristics.

Abstract: A block (11) formed with a mold (10) integral thereto. The mold (10) is constructed as a mold top half (12) and a mold bottom half (14) and filled in situ with cement (16). The mold halves (12,14) are constructed with respective socket and channel structures (24, 20) to capture an enlarged end (38) of a connector (34) for interlocking one block to a neighboring block. The resulting block (11) constitutes a one-piece block that can be formed at the installation site using the two-part mold (10). The interlocked blocks are prevented from removal when moved in either lateral direction, or in the vertical direction.