Abstract: A tie for bundling a plurality of elongated objects is formed in a generally arcuate configuration from a material having shape retaining memory properties. Complemental teeth on two opposed surface lock the two surfaces together to form a closed loop.

Abstract: A drainage device and method of decreasing clogging in a drain pipe comprising heating the drain pipe with a heating element that is partially enclosed.

Abstract: A lift system that coordinates the raising and lowering of a vehicle relative to a surface by using wireless communications is provided. The lift system includes at least two lift mechanisms each having a post, a carriage, an actuating device and a control device. The carriage is slidably coupled to the post and is adapted to support a portion of the vehicle. The actuating device is coupled with the carriage and is capable of moving the carriage relative to the post. The control device is coupled with the actuating device and is capable of communicating by wireless signals with the other control device. The control devices communicate by wireless signals to coordinate the movement of the carriages relative to the posts to raise or lower the vehicle. Further, a rechargeable battery may provide power to the control device to allow for increased mobility of the lift system.

Abstract: A system and method for conditionally diagnosing, assessing and tracking the symptoms of patients having mental or physical disorders involves providing an interview instrument having diagnostic and assessment information for a selected disorder. A clinician conducts a first interview of a patient to identify and assess the patient's symptoms. The clinician records the symptoms and assessment on the interview instrument. Alternatively, the patient records symptoms on the interview instrument and the clinician then conducts a first interview. The clinician develops a diagnosis and treatment plan and records them on the instrument. The clinician conducts one or more subsequent interviews of the patient for identifying and assessing the patient's symptoms and records any changes in the symptoms on the interview instrument for documenting the effects of the treatment plan.

Abstract: An automatic power factor correction system, for an electrical power installation drawing varying levels of reactive power, measures an electrical parameter of the power drawn by a load of a power installation using a power measurement integrated circuit, the parameter being capable of indicating a level of reactive power drawn by the load, and couples a combination of capacitors to the power line to compensate for the level of reactive power indicated by the electrical parameter measured. In a first embodiment of the invention, the combination of power factor compensating capacitors is calculated from a signed value of reactive power drawn by the load. In a second embodiment, the compensating capacitor combination is calculated from a value of power factor for the load which is calculated from a ratio of an active power value to an apparent power value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of preparing solid flakes of fats and emulsifiers having a Solid Content index or a Solids Fat Index which is below the Agglomeration Boundary is provided utilizing a generally flat, cold plate to solidify the fat or emulsifier and a method which allows the application of a coating to the flake to assist in avoiding loss of flake separation and to maintain pourability of the flaked product.

Abstract: A front equipment mount for attaching a piece of equipment to a front end of a wheeled vehicle having an independent front suspension includes a longitudinal frame and a transverse frame member connected to the longitudinal frame. The longitudinal frame has a forward and end which is positionable proximate the front end of the vehicle and a rearward end which is attachable to the vehicle rearward of the front suspension. The transverse frame member has opposed left and right ends connectable to respective left and right suspension members of the vehicle. The piece of equipment is attachable to the forward end of the longitudinal frame such that the weight of the piece of equipment is supported by the left and right suspension members as unsprung weight.

Abstract: A composition and method for veterinary treatment of ophthalmic immune-mediated inflammatory conditions in animals such as conjunctival disorders of the third eyelid, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), chronic superficial keratitis (CSK), feline eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis, allergic conjunctivitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, ocular rosacea, viral conjunctivitis, uveitis and phacoanaphylactic endophthalmitis involves the topical administration of tacrolimus to the eye in a pharmaceutically acceptable lubricant vehicle. The composition of the invention includes about 0.00001% to 10.0% tacrolimus by weight in a pharmaceutically acceptable oil-based solution or ointment and may be administered to the third eyelid of an affected animal.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the treatment of multiple sclerosis by periodically administering a high dose of methotrexate at a level sufficiently high to cross the blood brain barrier. The methotrexate administration is accompanied by leucovorin rescue of the periphery. The high dose methotrexate is preferably administered at 1 to 4 month intervals. The periodic high dose methotrexate treatment may be used in conjunction with interim treatments using a therapeutic agent that is effective in treating MS, but does not cross the BBB in cytotoxic amounts. It is contemplated that the method of the present invention may be employed to treat other non-infectious, non-neoplastic inflammatory conditions of the CNS.

Abstract: An aerated flaked fat product is provided and a process for production of aerated flaked fat products is provided, the process allows the incorporation of gas into the aerated flake fat product and the aerated flake product permits the incorporated of addition air spaces into baked pastry and dough products while allowing a reduction in the amount of flaked fat product incorporated into the dough mix.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for collecting a DNA sample from the skin and/or from the oral cavity of a subject, the apparatus comprising a handle mounted absorbent layer supported by a resilient layer and bar codes for association of the sample with identification and evidence documents a storage system is provided to allow sample location using a bar code identifier which avoids removal of the device from storage and avoids disturbing the collected sample.

Abstract: A scale 1 for weighing moving loads 17 includes a weighing platform 3 having an entrance end 5 and an exit end 7. The platform 3 is pivotal about a transverse axis 9 between the entrance end 5 and exit end 7. A first limit stop 13 is engageable to limit downward movement of the entrance end 5 and a second limit stop 15 is engageable to limit downward movement of the exit end 7. A weighing device 11 is connected to the platform 3 and is operable to provide an indication of the weight of a load 17 supported on the platform 3 when neither the first limit stop 13 nor the second limit stop 15 is engaged.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for accurately positioning a breast tumor of a patient in the decubitus position on examination table and preventing patient movement once the tumor is positioned and for preventing pain and loss of sensation in the patient's downwardly positioned arm and shoulder while the patient is in the decubitus position.

Abstract: An encryption device includes a card with a grid comprising multiple rows and columns defining boxes for receiving individual characters. One of the columns or rows contains a master password or code character string. Other columns or rows contain encrypted character strings. The individual characters of the master password can be offset with respect to corresponding, individual characters of the encrypted character strings. A sleeve slidably, reciprocably receives the card and assists with aligning the characters of the master password and the characters of the encrypted character strings, which are visible through a window in the sleeve. A method of storing, encrypting and retrieving character strings utilizes the encryption device.

Abstract: A drainage device and method of decreasing clogging in a drain pipe comprising heating the drain pipe with a heating element that is partially enclosed.

Abstract: In a thermoforming system for masked polymer substrate sheets, a temperature resistant, non-stick coating is applied to a sheet of a polymer substrate material. The coated sheet is positioned on a flexible platen positioned over a mold having a predetermined shape. Heat is applied until the polymer reaches a thermoforming temperature and softens, whereupon the platen is lowered to stretch over and cover the mold. When the sheet begins to conform to the mold, the heat is withdrawn and a second platen is lowered over the sheet to urge it into conformance with the mold. The temperature resistant coating can be applied over an existing polymer film masking, and rapidly cures to form a non-stick surface which prevents adhesion of the masked polymer sheet to the platen surfaces.

Abstract: A fishing lure includes a yoke having divergent first and second arms. The first arm is formed of wire, which is preferably nickel-titanium alloy wire having a memory characteristic, having a bright formed at one end for attachment of a fishing line. The second arm is formed of a plastic material and has a first end molded around a portion of the first arm proximate the bight. A weighted body having a fishhook attached thereto is connected a second end of the second arm. A fish attracting element such as a spinner blade or propellor is rotatably mounted on the first arm. The weighted body may include a central core of heavy dense material and an encapsulating outer layer of plastic material which is integrally molded with the second arm. The plastic material forming the second arm is preferably transparent or colored so as to be invisible to fish.