Abstract: A dual-spool hydraulic directional valve for controlling the motion of a hydraulic cylinder or similar device. The dual-spool hydraulic directional valve of the present invention is less costly to manufacture, may be more easily repaired, and is more resistant to contamination than current hydraulic directional valves. The dual-spool hydraulic directional valve of the present invention is particularly suited to applications where the valve is not required to hold a load. The valve of the present invention uses two valve spools, with each valve spool controlling flow of hydraulic fluid through a particular port or ports. The valve spools work independently from one another, therefore, the slight leakage of hydraulic fluid from one valve spool to the other will not markedly affect the operation of the valve. In a preferred embodiment of the valve, a lever is utilized to shift the positions of the respective valve spools, although other means, such as electronic solenoids may also be used.

Abstract: The invention concerns anti-static, peroxide-stable molding compounds on the basis of polyamides and/or polyesters, whereby the molding compounds are modified with very pure conductive carbon black with a low specific surface area. These anti-static molding compounds can be used for the production of injection-molded or extruded parts and the production of sheets or multi-layer hoses and tubes.

Abstract: The present invention is a continuous in-line compounding and extrusion system that does not require pre-dried wood flour or pelletized feed stock of cellulosic/polymer composite materials in order to produce net shapes from cellulosic/polymer composite materials. A preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes automated loss-in-weight feeders to dispense wood flour and all of the other cellulosic/polymer composite materials into a compounder. The compounder blends the cellulosic/polymer composite materials into a composite melt. The composite melt is continuously devolitalized as it travels through the compounder, a transition chute, and a finish extruder. The composite melt is then forced through a profile die which is fitted to the finish extruder in order to achieve a net shape.

Abstract: A tape dispenser having a novel display ability. The tape dispenser of the present invention may be of a common size, shape and construction typically associated with dispensers for dispensing adhesive cellulose tapes, or may be of alternate shape. The body of the dispenser may be made of plastic or other materials and may be transparent, translucent or opaque. At least one rotatable display component, such as a wheel, is preferably located between the tape roll and an inside wall of the dispenser body. One or more graphics, such as images, wording or both, are located on the rotatable display component. The rotatable display component may be rotated, either independently or in conjunction with rotation of the tape roll, such that the graphic or graphics will periodically appear through the body of the dispenser or through an aperture or other opening located therein. One or more fixed graphics may also be affixed to the body of the dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention includes heat sinks, heat sink devices, and heat sink systems. The invention also includes machines or electronic devices using these aspects of the invention. The present invention also includes in broadest terms, an electronic device in thermal contact with a two-layered micro-channeled heat sink device.

Abstract: The present invention includes capacitive film thickness measurement devices and measurement systems. The invention also includes machines or instruments using those aspects of the invention. The present invention additionally includes methods and procedures using those devices of the present invention. The present invention discloses a capacitance measurement device and technique useful in determining lubricant film thickness on substrates such as magnetic thin-film rigid disks. Also disclosed is a device and technique for determining film thickness by suspending the film in a liquid dielectric. Using the present invention, variations in lubricant thickness on the Angstrom scale or less may be measured quickly and nondestructively.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to an improved laser welded work piece, such as an automotive body panel, and a system and method for the manufacture thereof. The invention is also directed to an improved system for manufacturing the welded work piece including an improved laser welder and a laser weld inspection device and system.

Abstract: An arcade-style racing game is described. The game preferably includes one or more individual competition games that measure the fractional performance of a player, and an indicator of progress for each individual game. Each indicator of moves at a variable rate, the rate being determined by the fractional performance of a player in an associated game.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved vagina cleaning system. The improved system comprises a vagina opener, a vagina cleaning-solution sprayer, a multiple-functional vagina cleaning solution, and a health-promoting bacteria introducer. The system is used to remove semen from the vagina to prevent pregnancy, to reduce pathogenic microorganisms in the vagina to prevent sexually transmitted diseases, to remove other unwanted materials from the vagina to eliminate discomfort, and to add health-promoting bacteria into the vagina to prevent abnormal colonization of microflora in the vaginal cavity. The present invention also discloses methods of using the system for cleaning the vaginal cavity and for introducing health-promoting bacteria into the vaginal cavity.

Abstract: A construction component for improved moisture, decay and insect resistance. The component preferably includes a plurality of members of which certain portions are comprised of materials resistant to moisture, decay and insects. The resistant member(s) are integrally connected to wood portion(s) to provide a single, low cost structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a package having a tear-away opening. The package comprises an outer substrate layer, an inner aseptic layer secured to the outer substrate layer, and a cut in the outer substrate layer. In order to preserve the product in the package, the cut is of a predetermined depth such that the cut does not puncture the inner aseptic layer. The cut, however, is sufficiently deep so that a predetermined portion of the package may be torn off at the cut. The present invention also includes methods for manufacturing and opening a package having a tear-away opening. The method for manufacturing a package having a tear-away opening generally includes the steps of providing an outer substrate layer, securing an inner aseptic layer to the outer substrate layer, making a cut of predetermined depth in the outer substrate layer such that the cut does not puncture the inner aseptic layer, and then forming a package.

Abstract: A device for verifying the identity of an individual based on a typing characteristic token. The device having said device embedded in a keyboard, said keyboard in communication with an a processing system to be secured, said device comprising: an input means for monitoring the time interval in which keys on the keyboard are depressed; a processing means in electrical communication with the input means for generating a first typing characteristic token based on the monitored time intervals; a memory means in data communication with the processing means for storing the first typing characteristic token, and wherein the processing system is adapted to compare the first typing characteristic token with a second typing characteristics token generated for a current user; and wherein the processing system denies access to the current user if the second typing characteristic does not match the stored first typing characteristic token.

Abstract: The present invention includes tapered anechoic chambers and chamber systems. This invention also includes machines or electronic apparatus using these aspects of the invention. The present invention also includes methods and processes for using these devices and systems. In a preferred embodiment, a TEM antenna is utilized that is terminated by a resistive card, or R-card. This makes for a very broadband antenna that may be used to properly illuminate the test zone in a tapered chamber without changing the feed antenna. A preferred chamber utilizes an absorber layout that has never been applied to a tapered chamber, called a Chebyshev absorber layout. The concept is to place the wedge absorber tips at different heights relative to the mounting side wall and pyramidal absorber tips at different heights relative to the back wall. In this pattern, wave reflections off the pyramid tips and valleys behave very much like reflections in a multi-section transmission line.

Abstract: A system and method for integrating an on-line service community with a foreign service such as the Internet World Wide Web. To take advantage of the present invention, on-line service subscribers access a membership module to complete a membership process in which they join communities each of which represents a specific area of interest. The present invention operates as an extension to a user's preferred Web browser and is manifested as a toolbar comprised of control buttons and a viewer on a computer user's screen. By interacting with the control buttons of the toolbar and the menus of the viewer, on-line service content is delivered to the user in response to the URLs specified by the user as he or she browses the Web. In addition, control buttons on the toolbar present opportunities for interacting with other community members.

Abstract: A method and device for determining the concentration of a medium other than air in an air/medium aerosol. The dielectric constant of the medium is measured using microwaves in a hollow conductor, with the aerosol passing through a neutral tube intersecting the hollow conductor. The microwave signal which propagates in the hollow conductor is subjected to attenuation and a phase shift due to the difference between the dielectric constant of the medium and that of air, the phase shift of the microwave signal being measured by taking into account the active path length (the tube in the cross section of the hollow conductor).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching roof membranes to roof decks. A bridge is placed on flaps created by overlapping portions of roofing material. The bridge is comprised of two end portions which engage the roofing material. A screw is preferably installed through the bridge and into the roof deck. When wind applies force to the roofing membrane, the bridge creates a fulcrum-like effect which helps secure the roof membrane to the roof deck.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and kit for repairing a construction component that has a damaged portion. First, the damaged portion is removed from the construction component. Next, a durable portion is provided that is preferably a cellulosic/polymer composite material which is moisture, decay, and insect resistant. The durable portion preferably has about the same shape as the damaged portion. The durable portion is then connected to the construction component to replace the damaged portion. The materials for repairing the construction component may be provided in a single kit.