Abstract: A beverage container has a thermally insulated base defining a reservoir and a cover assembly removably mountable on the base for closing the reservoir. The cover assembly includes a cap defining a recess open to ambient and defines a baffled passage between the recess and the reservoir closeable by a valve assembly including a toggle mechanism actuatable by a push button disposed centrally of the cap and spaced from the recess, for alternately latching the valve in closed and open conditions relative to the passage. The valve assembly includes a gasketed movable valve member engageable with a rigid sharp edge on a valve seat in the closed condition so that the gasket yieldably deforms around the sharp edge to provide a fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: A vacuum canister includes a storage space and a removable lid. The lid includes a pump housing that defines a pumping chamber within which a sliding piston is disposed. The piston is connected to a handle via a piston rod and features a skirt-like piston valve that seals against the side wall of the pump housing when the piston travels downward but permits air to pass when the piston travels upward. Air is pumped from the canister storage space via the pump. A vacuum indicator and release valve are also positioned in the lid. A bellows communicates with the canister storage space and contracts when a vacuum is present. The bellows is connected to a lever which pivots to extend a button indicating the presence of the vacuum. Pushing the button causes the lever to engage a vacuum release valve.

Abstract: A scanner has a platen supported by a housing. The platen is adapted to abut a media to be scanned. A document cover is adapted to sandwich the media against the platen. The document cover is hinged to the housing by at least one first hinge. The document cover has a base portion having a closed position and at lest one open position, and a flap portion independently hinged to the base portion by at least one second hinge. The flap portion is adapted to open to enable insertion of the media onto the platen while the base portion is in the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cervical brace that has a chest plate secured to the thorax of a wearer and a chin strut attached to the chest plate. In a preferred embodiment, the chin strut extends to a point on a chin support of a cervical collar disposed adjacent a wearer's chin so as to provide better support. The chest plate is in the form of a vest or can be comprised of a chest plate and a back plate. In preferred embodiments the chin strut extends in a straight line from the chest plate to the chin support and is adjustable and maybe positioned securely, relative to the chest plate, the cervical brace also has a back plate and an occipital support. In certain embodiments it has a rear strut extending between the occipital support and the back plate. In such embodiments, the back plate and the chest plate are preferably attached to each other around the body.

Abstract: A beverage container has a thermally insulated base defining a reservoir and a cover assembly removably mountable on the base for closing the reservoir. The cover assembly includes a cap defining a recess open to ambient and defines a baffled passage between the recess and the reservoir closeable by a valve assembly including a toggle mechanism actuatable by a push button disposed centrally of the cap and spaced from the recess, for alternately latching the valve in closed and open conditions relative to the passage. The valve assembly includes a gasketed movable valve member engageable with a rigid sharp edge on a valve seat in the closed condition so that the gasket yieldably deforms around the sharp edge to provide a fluid-tight seal.

Abstract: An imaging device comprising a transparent, media support platen having a first surface portion and a second surface portion; a media clamp mounted in displaceable, overlying relationship with the first surface portion of the platen; and a lid mounted in displaceable overlying relationship with the second surface portion of the platen.

Abstract: A portable folding chair features a seat and a back that are joined in a hinged or pivoting fashion. A pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs are pivotally attached to the bottom of the seat. A track featuring elongated slots is also attached to the bottom of the seat. Front and rear leg braces are pivotally attached to the front and rear legs, respectively. The leg braces slide within the elongated slots of the track. The track is equipped with locking mechanisms so that the leg braces may be locked in the track with the legs in the open position. The back of the chair is equipped with a tab portion that forms a handle and extends down below the seat and engages a pair of angle bars that are included in the rear leg brace so that the back of the chair is secured in an open position. The legs may be folded against the bottom of the seat and the back rotated so that the legs and track are enclosed between the seat and back in a clamshell fashion.

Abstract: An apparatus that dispenses a food substance has a housing and a barrel removably connected to the housing. A rod connected to a plunger is disposed within the housing and the barrel. A drive mechanism including a dual-direction electric motor is located in the housing. The drive mechanism actuates the rod so that the plunger is advanced in the barrel to dispense the food substance. The drive mechanism includes a nut housing having an inner passage housing a nut positioned between a pair of compression springs. The nut is restricted from rotational movement relative to the nut housing but may move a limited distance vertically. The rod is positioned through the nut housing. The nut travels along the rod as the rod moves within the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cervical brace that has a chest plate secured to the thorax of a wearer and a chin strut attached to the chest plate. In a preferred embodiment, the chin strut extends to a point on a chin support of a cervical collar disposed adjacent a wearer's chin so as to provide better support. The chest plate is in the form of a vest or can be comprised of a chest plate and a back plate. In preferred embodiments the chin strut extends in a straight line from the chest plate to the chin support and is adjustable and maybe positioned securely, relative to the chest plate, the cervical brace also has a back plate and an occipital support. In certain embodiments it has a rear strut extending between the occipital support and the back plate. In such embodiments, the back plate and the chest plate are preferably attached to each other around the body.

Abstract: A picture frame scanner has a frame defining a display area. The frame is disposed generally upright. A transparent retention pane is mounted within the frame, spanning the display area. A support back spanning the display area is spaced apart from the retention pane. An image scanning bar is operatively mounted in the frame for moving across the display area and scanning an electronic image of media disposed between the support back and the retention pane into memory storage.

Abstract: A scanner has a platen supported by a housing. The platen is adapted to abut a media to be scanned. A document cover is adapted to sandwich the media against the platen. The document cover is hinged to the housing by at least one first hinge. The document cover has a base portion having a closed position and at lest one open position, and a flap portion independently hinged to the base portion by at least one second hinge. The flap portion is adapted to open to enable insertion of the media onto the platen while the base portion is in the closed position.

Abstract: An imaging device comprising a transparent, media support platen having a first surface portion and a second surface portion; a media clamp mounted in displaceable, overlying relationship with the first surface portion of the platen; and a lid mounted in displaceable overlying relationship with the second surface portion of the platen.

Abstract: A novel system for dispensing tickets wherein a continuous strip is individuated into separate units by the force of users pulling each individual luggage tag through an aperture located at one end of a dispensing mechanism having a detent mechanism for shearing pre-scored and pre-arranged tickets that is used in combination with an interference and/or ramped spacing mechanism. The same may be mounted in a stanchion, on any existing environmental structure, or in a counter, and may include rectangular, rolled and alternatively shaped housing. Particularly useful for luggage tagging applications, a self-engaging ticket-like article may be used with existing guidance systems and an optional writing surface to allow users to procure and apply identifying indicia to such articles for marking luggage on an expedited basis while traveling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of bruxism thorough biofeedback is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus consists of electronics mounted in a light-weight headband which may be worn comfortably by a user during sleep or while awake. Electrodes within the headband pick up surface EMG voltage signals indicative of bruxism, and bio-feedback is provided to the user by a piezoelectric transducer in mechanical contact with the head of the user. One electrode of the piezoelectric transducer also serves as the reference sense electrode. The electrodes require no chemistry, allowing the apparatus to be worn for considerable periods without skin irritation. Information detailing the timing, quantity, and duration of bruxing events may be stored internally for later retrieval via display, computer interface, or voice synthesis interface. When EMG signals satisfy certain pre-determined time and amplitude conditions, an acoustical bio-feedback signal is generated.

Abstract: A cervical collar in which a sternum brace has an extension extending below the clavicle of the patient and to which a footplate is attached so that the footplate rests on the sternum of the patient. Also, certain components of the cervical collar, for example a jaw support and the sternum brace, are secured together to permit relative sliding movement between these components. Further, to accommodate the differences in the anatomy of a child from the anatomy of adult, the jaw support is mounted to the sternum brace so that the jaw support is disposed below the shoulder of a patient and an occipital support is mounted to a back support at an angle greater than forty-five degrees.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment of bruxism through biofeedback is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus consists of electronics (M1) mounted in a light-weight headband (HB1) which may be worn comfortably by a user during sleep or while awake. Electrodes (E) within the headband pick up surface EMG voltage signals indicative of bruxism, and biofeedback is provided to the user through an earphone (SK).

Abstract: An omni-directional wireless infrared transceiver and system for communicating electronic data. Each transceiver comprises a receiving lens capable of detecting infrared signals of low power and low incident angle, an LED transmitting element or array, signal peak detection circuitry with dynamic threshold adjustment, signal processing circuitry, and means for electronically connecting the transceiver with a device. The transceivers can communicate without requiring a line-of-sight or obstacle-free communication path. The system is ideally suited for infrared connections in a local environment between portable computers and peripherals such as modems, printers, and keyboards. The transceivers may be embodied with removable connectors or may be integrated permanently within a device. Further, an operator may configure the system for directional data communication in situations where omni-directional communication is undesirable.