Abstract: A container device that facilitates secondary use of plastic grocery bags of the type having a pair of opposed upper integral straps for use as carrying handles. The container includes a pair of opposed supports for receiving the plastic bag's integral straps. Each one of the opposed pair of supports is made up of a hinged flap portion that is provided with slits in alignment with the hinge axis and that effect receiving respective ones of the integral straps. The flap member is provided with a securement member in the form of hook fastening material that can be secured to a mating securement member in the form of loop fastening material located on the outer surface portion of the container. The mated securement members effect positive support of an internally disposed plastic grocery bags.

Abstract: A portable sweep auger apparatus and method for controllably transferring predetermined continuous amounts of granular and powdered gypsum from a pile of gypsum to an irrigation ditch. The apparatus includes a base member, a driver member and an auger assembly member mechanically coupled to the driver member. The driver member and the auger assembly member are pivotally coupled to the base member to effect forward travel that depletes the gypsum pile. A first level of control is effected by a fixed auger design that coact with the driver member for regulating and delivering predetermined amounts of the gypsum material. A second level of control is effected by a slip clutch wheel coacting with the rotating auger shaft for controlling forward movement of the entire auger assembly towards and against the pile of gypsum material until the material has been depleted. A track that compensates for unleveled terrain is provided for guiding the slip clutch wheel.

Abstract: This invention discloses a fluid sterile system for use in the medical and dental industries for the removal and cleaning of gross tissue forms from biological articles and a method of preparing the biological articles for transplant and corrective surgeries and in the electronic and aerospace industries, the present invention discloses a portable, fluid cleaning system that clean articles such as fixtures, aerospace electronic and other equipment, microelectronic chips and electronic printed circuit boards for reducing the contamination level of such articles measured in parts per million (ppm). The aseptic system includes an enclosed high pressure sterile jet cleaning apparatus member for use in a first stage cleaning of particulates from an article used in a particular industry and a sterile ultrasonic bath apparatus member for use in a second stage cleaning of particulates from the same article.

Abstract: A rail structure usable in the manufacture of packaged goods in matchbook-like form, especially threadlike goods such as dental floss. The rail structure conforms to attachment tooling and matchbook cover design constraints relating to similar rail structure used in the manufacture of matchbooks. The rail structure can accommodates either horizontal or vertical winding processes, according to the particular rail structure used for securing the threadlike article. The structure used for horizontal winding is an elongated rail structure formed having alternating article support portions separated by alternating notches. The matchbook-like array is formed by two side by side arrangement of the horizontally wound rail structure. The rail structure used for vertical winding is an elongated rail having upper and lower notches for securing the threadlike article. The lower notches have a deep V-shape portion for ease of detachment of the threadlike articles.

Abstract: This invention teaches a computerized method for use in data acquisition and manipulation of two-dimensional patterns in the fields of medicine, astronomy, chemistry, biology and biotechnology. The invention teaches an interactive computerized method for matching visual patterns of polypeptide spots in two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoretogram solubilized into polypeptide constituents that are separated by electrophoresis. The computerized method manipulates spot pixel coordinates using staged coordinate transformation techniques on spot markers and unknown study spots to reduce gel preparation distortions and allows a user to produce matching results in a manner that compares the transformed spot data using either a single reference gel or multiple reference gels approach for producing the matching results. The method also includes a spot matching verification step and a step to extract potentially mis-matched spots from reported matching results.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a cat litter box apparatus and method. The apparatus includes component parts that combine to resemble a human toilet facility. The component parts include a tank member for storing and dispensing cat litter material, a bowl-like base member detachably connected to the tank member, a drawer member that is removably enclosed within the bowl-like base member for receiving fresh cat litter material from the tank member and for being used by a cat for going to the toilet.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a hair cutting accessory in the form of a cape and pat-down pads that utilize respective adhesive surfaces for collecting hair clippings that result during a hair cutting service. The cape is adapted with a collar member for draping around a person's neck area and is formed having a peelable backing for covering an adhesive strip surface of sufficient width to form two usable adhesive portions. The first adhesive portion is used to adhesively attach to a patron's neck area for creating a seal around the neck for preventing hair clippings from entering beneath the cape. The second adhesive portion is intended to be left exposed around the neck area for readily and adhesively collecting any fallen hair clippings. Each pat-down pad is sized to be hand held and is also formed having a peelable backing for covering an adhesive surface until ready to use.

Abstract: A power transfer apparatus for imparting drive motion to followers. The power transfer apparatus mechanically and rotatably communicates with a driven wheel of a vehicle and transfers rotary power to the non-driven wheel of a vehicle. The present invention teaches a power distribution apparatus for mountain bicycles that mechanically and rotatably communicate with a pedal driven wheel and that transfers rotary power to the non-driven wheel to improve the forward propulsion of the mountain bicycle under rough terrain riding conditions. The power transfer apparatus includes a first caliper assembly having a driver idler and an auxiliary free wheeling idler for engaging a pedal driven wheel of a bicycle, a cable drive system coupled to the driver idler transfers drive motion from the driven wheel to a second caliper assembly having a receiver idler that engages the drive motion to the non-driven wheel.

Abstract: An operator controlled variable electrical power delivery console and foot pedal controller are provided. The variable electrical power delivery console is designed to supply power to universal motors that are subjected to fluctuating loads that impact the performance of the motor. The invention combines two types of solid state electronic circuits including a selectable power booster circuit that responds to load changes that enables a motor to operate at high torque and another selectable solid state electronic circuit which allows the motor to operate at high speeds and lesser torque demands. The invention includes a selectable auxiliary foot pedal controller that is operator selectable for use with either of the two types of electrical circuits.

Abstract: A variable power foot pedal controller for controlling electrical power to universal motors and which contains solid state circuitry that boosts the power to accommodate high torque performance from the motor in response to load changes. The foot pedal controller includes a steel cable linkage arrangement that interfaces with a slide type control variable resistor that provides the linear motion control for varying the resistance that biases the solid state circuitry that boosts the power being delivered to the motor. The linkage arrangement allows operator incremental power delivery control by manipulating the slide variable resistor and further activates and deactives switch elements according to positional states of the linkage to energize the solid state circuitry or bypass the solid state circuitry.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an engine system apparatus and method that converts pulsed electromagnetic energy into mechanical force and motion. The engine apparatus combines the reciprocating action of an internal combustion engine and utilizes electrical energy to produce a magnetic field that initiates a repelling power stroke that is maintained in a reciprocating state by a movable magnet that is attracted to a stationary electromagnet member of the system. An electrical power source is pulsed ON to repeatedly produce the repelling power stroke and pulsed OFF to repeatedly allow the movable magnet to attract to the stationary electromagnet. The underlying principles of the electromagnet engine allow engine configurations to be built having one stationary electromagnet and one movable permanent magnet.

Abstract: This invention discloses an adjustable apparatus for spreading mortar onto bricks or blocks. The apparatus utilizes augers and is readily adjusted to extrude beads of mortar onto the proper portions of bricks/blocks having different widths. A trowel member is provided on the extrusion ports to smooth the beads of mortar. The apparatus includes a lid member that contains water for wetting the mortar. The weight of the lid member containing water also helps urge the mortar out of the hopper through the extrusion ports. Mortar gate plate members to regulate flow of mortar through the extrusion ports are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a maternity and nursing bra incorporating a one-handed fastening method that inherently allows for a stronger cup support and variable adjustment of cup size. It is accomplished by affixing parts of a fastener to the inside of an inner cup (17) to an inner band (15). Also incorporated into the inside of the inner cup (17) is an optional use nursing pad pocket (18). The bra's variable strap width adjusting band (12) and the relocatable shoulder straps (10) enables the bra to be worn with a variety of outer garment styles.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatus and method for testing and verifying the accuracy of non-invasive and invasive blood pressure measuring equipment. The apparatus includes pneumatic and electronic components that simulate the delivery of systolic and diastolic pressures to a mock human member and further includes a monitoring portion for displaying the response of the blood pressure measuring equipment under test.

Abstract: A structure for packaging semiconductor integrated circuits including a ceramic housing consisting of a base and cap having opposed mating surfaces for subsequent mating during a cap-to-base sealing operation that encapsulates an integrated circuit within the ceramic housing. Each of the base and cap mating surfaces having at least one thin sintered layer consisting of at least two sealing glass paste compositions sequentially printed onto each of the opposed mating surfaces before being sintered. The sealing glass paste compositions containing a mixture of glass powder and a liquid vehicle. A first of the compositions is characterized by having a glass-to-vehicle ratio range of 9:1 to 15:1 which is facilitated by having a liquid vehicle containing a mixture consisting of 93 wt % isotridecyl alcohol, 5 wt % diacetone acetate and 2 wt % acrylic resin and a glass powder selected from the group of LS0113, LS2001B, XS1175M, and T187 industry type glass powders.

Abstract: A transportion system including a solar energy collecting monorail structure formed with a photovoltaic surface layer having a solar energy converting means for converting the collected solar energy to electrical energy. A power distribution means for distributing stored energy to transit vehicles being propelled along the monorail structure or distributing excess energy to a remote power utility source. The monorail structure includes means for propelling a transit vehicle according to magnetic principals associated with transverse flux motors. The system also includes a computer controlled, elevation compensating monorail structure extrusion machine comprising a fabrication chamber which continuously fabricates the monorail structure along a monorail construction right-of-way.

Abstract: A patio cover gutter facia is adapted with two substantially elongated side members which are provided with a complementary mating mechanical design for forming a box beam from interlocking two opposed identical gutter facia. One of the elongated sides of the gutter facia is provided with a screw groove for attaching to a roof panel in a common gutter application. The same side provided with the screw groove is also provided with a first lock member of an interlocked joint. The other one of the elongated sides is provided with a second lock member of an interlock joint. The method of fabricating the gutter facia of the is preferably from a low cost extruded aluminum process which will yield a quality product.

Abstract: A process for synthetically producing N,N-Dimethyl Glycine, commonly referred to as DMG, through the neutralization of N,N-dimethyl glycine sodium salt with sulfuric acid wherein the N,N-dimethyl glycine sodium salt is prepared by reacting formaldehyde, sodium bisulfite, dimethyl amine, and sodium cyanide followed by agitation with caustic soda beads. Through the preparation and intermediate steam distillation and isolation of N,N-Dimethylamino acetonitrile. The nitrile solution is subjected to caustic hydrolysis then is subsequently neutralized leaving DMG in methanol extraction solvent. The methanol is removed in an azeotropic distillation step to produce DMG in a high yield, low cost and excellent quality.

Abstract: A transportation system including a solar energy collecting monorail structure formed with a photovoltaic surface layer having a solar energy convertor for converting the collected solar energy to electrical energy. A power distribution device for distributing stored energy to transit vehicles being propelled along the monorail structure or distributing excess energy to a remote power utility source. The monorail structure includes a device for propelling a transit vehicle according to magnetic principals associated with transverse flux motors. The system also includes a computer controlled, elevation compensating monorail structure extrusion machine comprising a fabrication chamber which continuously fabricates the monorail structure along a monorail construction right-of-way.

Abstract: This invention discloses a composite electrostatic optical apparatus and methods of using in micro fabrication processes or similar processes requiring the use of optical columns provided with electron or ion beams. The composite optical apparatus includes a series of units, each having multiple electrodes, that combine to form a composite optical structure that when coupled to a power supply define a three-dimensional potential distribution function. The shape of the composite optical structure is determined by the geometrical shape of an individual electrode and the arrangement of electrodes around the z-axis that forms a unit. The composite optical apparatus may be placed in an optical column as an electrosttic deflector, as a focusing electrostatic lens or as both deflector and focusing lens, or any combination of them.