Abstract: An organic or organoelement, linear or branched, monomeric or polymeric composition of matter having a Raman-active component in the form of particles. The particles having a maximum dimension of 50 &mgr;m. The Raman-active compound is applied to a substrate. When the Raman-active compound is exposed to a laser light wavelength which is batochromically well beyond a spectral region of maximum absorbance of said Raman-active compound, Raman scattering can be detected.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) communication device for audible sound communication over an infrared beam. The IR communication device includes an IR receiver, an IR transmitter, a speaker, and a microphone 210. The IR receiver receives the incoming IR beam. The IR transmitter 206 generates the IR output beam. A pair of IR communication devices form an IR communication system with a pair of IR communication channels. Simplex and full duplex IR communication may be provided over one or a pair of IR communication channels.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for dispensing chocolate. Solid chocolate is heated to its melting point within a chamber in order to form a liquid chocolate that is viscous and can flow out an opening in a nozzle at one end when pressure is exerted at another end. The chocolate dispenser is portable and has a housing or case that holds a heating chamber and a heater. The heater heats solid chocolate in the heating chamber into liquid chocolate. A nozzle is snapped or screwed into a dispensing end of the dispenser. A plunger has a piston inserted into the heating chamber to apply pressure to liquid chocolate in order for it to flow out of an opening in the nozzle. A children's playset for use with the chocolate dispenser includes a support structure to support the chocolate dispenser over a dispensing area. One embodiment of the playset includes a turn table and a tapper. A cooling tray may be included in the playset to cool the melted chocolate to its solid form.

Abstract: A pencil has a fixed non-replaceable eraser and a moveable sleeve. The fixed non-replaceable eraser is elongated to provide a larger eraser to pencil ratio in order to have more erase cycles per write cycles. The moveable sleeve can be moved to selectively expose a portion of the eraser. A ferrule couples the pencil body and the eraser together and provides an outer surface to engage an inner surface of the moveable sleeve. In one embodiment, a threaded female slot in the outer surface of the ferrule engages a male threaded tab in the inner surface of the sleeve. In another embodiment, a plurality of concentric slots in the outer surface of the ferrule engage a tab in the inner surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch and method for improving the life of the consumable parts of the plasma arc torch, including the electrode, the tip and the shield cap. The method includes turbulating gas as it flows over the exposed surfaces of the electrode, tip and shield cap to increase turbulence in the hydrodynamic boundary layer of the gas flow, thereby enhancing convective heat transfer. The result of enhanced cooling is improved consumable parts life. For example, to increase the turbulence of the gas flow over the outer surface of the electrode, the plasma arc torch electrode has a roughened, or textured outer surface formed with dimples, axially extending grooves or spiraling grooves formed in the outer surface of the electrode. The inner and outer surfaces of the tip and the inner surface of the shield cap are similarly textured.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for charging rechargeable battery packs. A battery charger has a means to measure a voltage and a battery temperature and a means to determine a rate of increase in battery temperature of a rechargeable battery pack. The battery charger to fast charge if the voltage and battery temperature indicate its safe and to terminate the fast charge in response to the charge condition. Methods include measuring a battery temperature of the rechargeable battery pack and determining a rate of increase in battery temperature during fast charging to determine a charge condition, One method further includes terminating fast charging if the rate of increase in battery temperature exceeds a maximum rate or if the increase in battery temperature rises non-logarithmically. Another method further includes terminating fast charging in response to the charge condition.

Abstract: A contact start plasma torch and method of starting the torch includes a negatively charged cathode body and a positively charged anode body. A conductive element in the torch is constructed of an electrically conductive material and is free from fixed connection with the cathode body and the anode body. The torch is operable between an idle mode wherein the conductive element provides an electrically conductive path between the cathode body and the anode body and an pilot mode wherein a pilot arc is formed between the conductive element and at least one of the cathode body and the anode body. The pilot arc is blown by working gas flowing through the torch toward an exit orifice of the torch whereby 10) the working gas is exhausted from the torch in the form of an ionized plasma.

Abstract: A water resistant audible toy, such as a toy water gun, includes a speaker having a water resistant speaker cone. The water resistant audible toy includes a switch to activate the speaker to generate sounds. The water resistant audible toy may further include a light to generate lighting effects and a motor to generate a vibration. A pressure equalizer may be further included in the water resistant audible toy. Seals may be provided as part of the water resistant audible toy. The toy water gun includes a trigger to actuate the switch. The speaker may be part of a water resistant sound effects module.

Abstract: A water gun includes a sound effects module. The water gun includes a trigger to squirt water. The trigger actuates a switch coupled to the sound effects module. The sound effects module has an interior volume with a speaker at one end. A speaker cover seals the periphery of the speaker. The sound effects module also has a sealed compartment containing a keypad to control the sound effects module and a printed circuit board.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for charging rechargeable battery packs having redundant safety systems. A battery charger has a temperature sensor at a negative charging terminal for determining the charge condition of a rechargeable battery pack and controlling a charging current. The battery charger has a microcontroller to control the charging of the rechargeable battery pack using a fast charge current or a trickle charge current. Independent safety systems provide safe operation of the battery charger if the microcontroller operation fails. A rechargeable battery pack has a pair of openings to allow direct contact to a positive pole and a negative pole of the end batteries for improved temperature sensing by a battery charger.

Abstract: A television, radio, tape, videotape, computer (Internet), telephone, cellular telephone etc., activated sweepstakes game system employing at least one electronically activated game piece device among a large number of similarly dimensioned, configured, textured and weighted dummy game pieces distributed for the sweepstakes game.

Abstract: Rechargeable battery packs include one or more key slots along a rear edge in order to distinguish it from other battery pack types and rectangular guide tabs to be backward compatible with former battery pack chargers and former battery operated devices. Battery pack chargers include one or more key tabs in a door and rectangular guide tabs to differentiate rechargeable battery packs that can be safely charged. Door closure switches on a safety switch to activate safe charging of a rechargeable battery pack with matching one or more key slots. The one or more key tabs and the one or more key slots provide a safety mechanism to distinguish rechargeable battery packs which can be safely charged. Rectangular guide tabs on sidewalls of an inner housing allow rectangular guide tabs of the rechargeable battery packs to slide under and further differentiates those that can be safely charged.

Abstract: An organic or organoelement, linear or branched, monomeric or polymeric composition of matter having a Raman-active component in the form of particles. The particles having a maximum dimension of 50 &mgr;m. The Raman-active compound is applied to a substrate. When the Raman-active compound is exposed to a laser light wavelength which is batochromically well beyond a spectral region of maximum absorbance of said Raman-active compound, Raman scattering can be detected.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch and method for cutting a workpiece in which the torch has a primary gas flow path for receiving a primary working gas and directing it through the torch to a central exit opening of the torch for exhaustion from the torch onto the workpiece in the form of an ionized plasma. A secondary gas flow path in the torch receives a secondary gas separate from the primary working gas and directs it through the torch. The primary gas flow path is in fluid communication with the secondary gas flow path substantially upstream of the central exit opening of the torch to bleed primary working gas in the primary gas flow path into the secondary gas flow path for admixture therewith to form a secondary gas mixture to be exhausted from the torch.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for charging rechargeable battery packs having redundant safety systems. A battery charger has a temperature sensor at a negative charging terminal for determining the charge condition of a rechargeable battery pack and controlling a charging current. The battery charger has a microcontroller to control the charging of the rechargeable battery pack using a fast charge current or a trickle charge current. Independent safety systems provide safe operation of the battery charger if the microcontroller operation fails. A rechargeable battery pack has a pair of openings to allow direct contact to a positive pole and a negative pole of the end batteries for improved temperature sensing by a battery charger.

Abstract: Rechargeable battery pack and battery pack charger mechanisms to assure safe charging. The rechargeable battery pack includes an opening to allow a temperature sensor to directly sense the temperature at a terminal case of a rechargeable battery cell, one or more key slots along a rear edge in order to distinguish it from other battery pack types, rectangular guide tabs to be backward compatible with former battery pack chargers and former battery operated devices. Battery pack charger includes one or more key tabs in a door and rectangular guide tabs to differentiate rechargeable battery packs that can be safely charged. Closure of the door switches on a safety switch mechanism to activate safe charging of a rechargeable battery pack with matching one or more key slots. The combination of the one or more key tabs with the one or more key slots provides a safety mechanism to assure that the appropriate rechargeable battery pack is inserted which can be safely charged.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch and method for cutting a workpiece in which the torch has a primary gas flow path for receiving a primary working gas and directing it through the torch to a central exit opening of the torch for exhaustion from the torch onto the workpiece in the form of an ionized plasma. A secondary gas flow path in the torch receives a secondary gas separate from the primary working gas and directs it through the torch. The primary gas flow path is in fluid communication with the secondary gas flow path substantially upstream of the central exit opening of the torch to bleed primary working gas in the primary gas flow path into the secondary gas flow path for admixture therewith to form a secondary gas mixture to be exhausted from the torch.

Abstract: A method and device for triggering an event in a roving apparatus is disclosed, whereby an event is triggered when the calculated position of the roving apparatus falls within a predetermined area and at least one other triggering criteria specified for the event is met, such that if the calculated position of the roving apparatus is at a position where predetermined areas overlap, events from any of the overlapping predetermined areas may be triggered in accordance with the triggering criteria of those areas.

Abstract: A plasma arc torch has a cathode and electrode having connecting ends configured for a coaxial telescoping connection with one another on a central longitudinal axis of the torch. The connecting ends have interengageable detents thereon, with at least one of the detents being movable in a generally radial direction relative to the central longitudinal axis of the torch between an undeflected state and a deflected state. The at least one detent is movable from the undeflected state to the deflected state when the cathode and electrode are telescoped one into the other, and is movable from the deflected state back toward the undeflected state when the cathode and electrode are further telescoped tc, a point where the detents on the cathode and electrode are generally axially aligned. In this position, the at least one detent is engageable with the other detent to interconnect the cathode and electrode and inhibit axial movement of the electrode away from the cathode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for encoding secondary signals, such as audio signals, within a television signal in a manner such that the signal may be either recorded on a video cassette or broadcast. The audio samples are encoded only on selected lines of each video frame which do not interfere with dedicated broadcast and cable lines and are not affected by head switching of a video cassette recorder. The audio samples are encoded only within an overscan portion of the selected lines such that the encoded samples do not interfere with other portions of the video signal. However, by encoding the samples within the overscan portion, the samples do not affect the displayed image. The secondary audio signal is sampled during equally spaced intervals throughout the video frame, then compressed and encoded only within selected horizontal lines.