Abstract: A man-made caviar alternative, including granules having a gelled center in a syrup exhibiting the same organoleptic properties as caviar from sturgeon. The granules are made from a mixture of encapsulation material, salt, coloring agents and flavoring agents, and granules are formed having a size of between about 2 to 4 millimeters. The thus formed granules may be treated with firming agents, crisping agents, and antioxidants. The caviar syrup in which the granules reside is a mixture including flavoring agents, salt, and stabilizing agents.

Abstract: An ergonomic duty belt and ergonomic holster and belt loop assembly are disclosed which cooperate to provide a stable platform for a handgun in a holster and other accessories as well while providing superior comfort for the wearer. The ergonomic belt effectively has two widths, a narrow 1½ vertical effective width, which is against the wearer's body, and a traditional 2¼ inch exterior vertical width, which is sized to support the wearer's gear, such as a holster and a weapon. That portion of the ergonomic belt, which is against the wearer, is also padded for additional comfort. The ergonomic holster includes a belt loop assembly which is tapered and padded on its inner surface in the area where the assembly touches the wearer's body when worn as intended to better conform to the body of the wearer and minimize wearer discomfort.

Abstract: Smart aerogel, an aerogel material doped with special bio-affinity compounds to providing means of unique collection, detection and identification of bioaerosols, including bacteria, viruses, toxins, and other bioaerosols. Aerogels, extremely low density and highly porous materials with a complex pore structure, are used as an intelligent detection material by incorporating specific bioaffinity pharmaceuticals directly into the matrix. The complex pore structure contains micropores, mesopores, and macropores in an open pore structure. The opening pore structure of the aerogel is used to create docking sites by linking high affinity pharmaceuticals that specifically bind only to certain bioaerosols. The high internal surface area of the aerogel and the extremely low density provides abundant receptor sites per unit mesopore for a high bioaerosol-receptor interaction, yet in a manner which will reduce possible damage and destruction to the bioaerosols captured.

Abstract: A series of multi use funnels are designed to attach by threads or pressure fit to a variety of threaded or non threaded fill openings of bottles or containers. Two or more concentric female threaded or friction engaging connectors are located at the discharge opening of the funnel. The innermost connector is the smaller or smallest and each size is graduated outward therefrom. A secondary funnel is located inside of the innermost female threaded connector to direct fluid into the attached container below the junction of the top of the bottle of container and the first threads. A sealing annular ring or step is located at each connector portion. Single diameter versions are shown as well as slip-on versions for use with threaded, snap-on or straight sided bottle filling openings.

Abstract: A bollard style light fixture, which allows the user to vary the fixture's light distribution pattern, while also eliminating the fixture's emission of glare. The fixture of this invention is also designed to absorb a minor amount of shock without damage, and provides a mechanism whereby the fixture may be quickly and easily leveled and releveled even after installation. The fixture of this invention comprises a base; a compressible base pad upon which the base rests; a support sleeve vertically extending from the base; a light source located within the support sleeve; a light-emitting window located on the support sleeve opposite the base; and an adjustable cap assembly located atop the light-emitting window vertically adjustable for variably covering the light-emitting window, thus varying the light distribution pattern of the fixture and redirecting the light rays towards the ground, eliminating glare.

Abstract: An interactive game is disclosed which may take the form of a board game, a hand held game or a yard game. It includes a series of printed circuits or devices which may be concealed within a playing surface and an electronic detector for the circuits. Easily as many as 8 or 16 different discrete device may be detected and distinguished. Stored messages associated with each device or combinations of devices is displayed or audibly reproduce the messages. This invention is also applied to interactive books and games which have multiple layers with superimposed pages or boards. Interference between superimposed pages or boards is eliminated by surrounding each concealed device with a conductive pattern which has no resonant frequency in the range of detection of the electronic detector or probe. Likewise, concealed devices are not located on immediately following pages or boards at the same location on the page. The method of manufacturing such interactive games or books is disclosed.

Abstract: A ballast housing having a uniform generally rectangular cross section is formed, preferably by extrusion, to accommodate any of a number of ballasts of varying sizes. Exterior sidewalls are formed with longitudinal grooves, one of which contains a pair of cylindrical members. A separate mounting plate carries screws which contact the cylindrical members and permit the cylindrical members to act as hinges permitting the housing to pivot away from the mounting plate. Closure plates are secured to each end of the housing and standard threaded ports may be formed in each closure plate as well as in the extruded member for mounting lighting fixtures or conduits carrying wires. Mating openings are formed on the backside of the housing member and the mounting plate for the passage of power leads to the ballast in the housing.

Abstract: An image projector includes a generally cylindrical housing containing a slide or pattern holder, a fixed lens and an adjustable lens. A separate lamp house threadedly engaged with the housing contains a lamp and electrical connections to the lamp. A cylindrical forward housing or shroud is threadedly engaged with the housing at its opposite end and includes a window through which the light pattern is transmitted. Seals are incorporated adjacent to the threaded connections to assure weather tight operation. The housing is carried in a sleeve which is spaced to allow air circulation around the housing. The sleeve is carried in a yoke which permits elevational adjustment of the projector.

Abstract: A two-handled club for use by two persons simultaneously for striking a ball toward a target and a game for using same. The club is such that one handle or grip is oriented as a left-handed club, while the opposite handle is oriented as a right-handed club. A team comprising of two members, each grasps a club handle and simultaneously strikes the ball towards a target. A winner may be determined, for example, by the team requiring the fewest strokes to get to the target.

Abstract: A process control valve is disclosed including a valve body assembly which includes process fluid input and output ports, an actuation pressure port and a vent port. The valve body includes a cylinder with two pistons longitudinally spaced and separated by a biasing means such as a spring. The pistons each have a rod which acts as a seal for a process fluid port when normally biased by the biasing spring. The actuation port of the body assembly communicates with the opposite faces of the pistons from the bias spring to open the process fluid input and output ports by overcoming the biasing port closing force. The two pistons include rods having process fluid passageways therethrough. The pistons also include a valve poppet & seat combination which is closed whenever actuation force is applied to the process control valve sealing the process fluid path from the vent port. A reversible input/output valve is disclosed as well as a modular assembly of interchangeable valves is disclosed.

Abstract: A dress or clothing form includes a sheet metal back to which are attached a plurality of reinforcing strips. A support rod is carried on one of the reinforcing strips and on the back. Leg supports are attached to the back to which are attached a pair of flat leg panels. Front and back molded plastic body panels are secured by fasteners to the metal back and similar molded front and back leg panels are secured to the flat leg panels. The support rod includes a large diameter portion at its top which includes a tapered surface. This surface mates with a socket on a support arm attached to a stand for supporting the form at the desired height. The stand includes telescoping members each including a rack with one member including a gas spring connected to a pinion positioned between the racks. The gas spring is arranged to essentially balance the weight of the dress form and garment so that a worker can move it up and down with little effort.

Abstract: A method of reduction and prophylaxis of the sphaerotheca (powdery mildew) in rose plants and other flowering plants. The method involves applying a silicone solution to the surface of a plant. The silicone solution can be a siloxane compound such as a methyl siloxane compound, a polydimethylsiloxane, and cyclic methylated siloxane.

Abstract: Atmospheric Samplers are disclosed using aerogel filter material. The samplers include one or more cascaded impact sample stations with discs of aerogel as the targets. Ambient air carrying particulate matter is introduced into the sampler and the particles are captured by the aerogel in its pore structure. In certain embodiments, the aerogel filter is next transported to a position where it is fragmented by a spray of water. The fragmented aerogel and the captured particles are transported in the fragmenting water from the sampler for analysis. In one embodiment, the sampler is segmented with alternate nozzle and filter segments for easy assembly, sampling and disassembly for analysis of the captured particles in aerogel filters positions below the nozzles.