Abstract: A costume safety mask housing chemiluminescent reagents. Upon activation, the reagents illuminate the mask or features thereon for purposes of novelty illumination and safety of the wearer. The mask may include liquid, viscous liquid, or solid chemiluminescent reagents that are held in cavities. Liquid components of the instant invention may be transported through passageways in the mask to provide a flowing appearance.

Abstract: A photoluminescent fluid is caused to emit visible or non-visible electromagnetic energy by being irradiated with an excitation energy source, such as ultraviolet light. The fluid is circulated along or through a pathway to create certain special effects.

Abstract: A costume safety mask housing chemiluminescent reagents. Upon activation, the reagents illuminate the mask or features thereon for purposes of novelty illumination and safety of the wearer. The mask may include liquid, viscous liquid, or solid chemiluminescent reagents that are held in cavities. Liquid components of the instant invention may be transported through passageways in the mask to provide a flowing appearance.

Abstract: An antenna array formed on a deformable dielectric material or substrate includes a center element and plurality of radial elements extending from a center hub. In the operative mode, the radial elements are folded upwardly into an approximately vertical position, with the center element at the center of the hub and the radial elements circumferentially surrounding the center element. In one embodiment the center element serves an active element of the antenna array and the radial elements are controllable in a directive or reflective state to effect a directive beam pattern from the antenna array. When not in use, the antenna elements are deformed into a plane and can therefore be integrated into a housing for compact storage. In a phased array embodiment, the center element is absent and the plurality of radial elements, are controllable to steer the antenna beam.

Abstract: An isostatic press configured to form wax-like raw materials, such as milk chocolate, into a variety of interchangeable molds. The press includes a raw material hopper and complementary indexer for feeding raw material into an injection chamber. A piston blade configured to press raw material from the injection chamber through an injection channel and into a mold cavity. A handle operatively connected to the piston blade by moving it reciprocally between a retracted position where raw material is fed into the injection chamber and an extended position where raw material is pressed through the injection channel into the mold cavity.

Abstract: An antenna array that uses at least two passive antennas and one active antenna disposed above a ground plane, but electrically isolated from the ground plane, and a respective resonant strip positioned beneath each passive antenna. The passive antenna elements are positioned about the active element, and each of the at least two passive antenna elements is individually set to a reflective or a transmissive mode to change the characteristics of an input/output beam pattern of the antenna apparatus.

Abstract: A directional antenna having a number, N, of outlying monopole antenna elements. These monopole elements are formed as a first upper conductive segment on a portion of a dielectric substrate. The array also includes the same number, N, of image elements. The image elements are formed as a second set of lower conductive segments on the same substrate as the upper conductive segments. The image elements, generally having the same length and shape as the monopole elements, are connected to a ground reference potential. To complete the array, an active antenna element is also disposed on the same substrate, adjacent to at least one of the monopole elements. In a preferred arrangement, the passive monopole elements and corresponding image elements are selectively connected to operate to in either a reflective or directive mode, such as via a switchable coupling circuit that selectively changes the impedances connected between them.

Abstract: A directional antenna having a number, N, of outlying monopole antenna elements. These monopole elements are formed as a first upper conductive segment on a portion of a dielectric substrate. The array also includes the same number, N, of image elements. The image elements are formed as a second set of lower conductive segments on the same substrate as the upper conductive segments. The image elements, generally having the same length and shape as the monopole elements, are connected to a ground reference potential. To complete the array, an active antenna element is also disposed on the same substrate, adjacent to at least one of the monopole elements. In a preferred arrangement, the passive monopole elements and corresponding image elements are selectively connected to operate to in either a reflective or directive mode, such as via a switchable coupling circuit that selectively changes the impedances connected between them.

Abstract: An antenna array formed on a deformable dielectric material or substrate includes a center element and plurality of radial elements extending from a center hub. In the operative mode, the radial elements are folded upwardly into an approximately vertical position, with the center element at the center of the hub and the radial elements circumferentially surrounding the center element. In one embodiment the center element serves an active element of the antenna array and the radial elements are controllable in a directive or reflective state to effect a directive beam pattern from the antenna array. When not in use, the antenna elements are deformed into a plane and can therefore be integrated into a housing for compact storage. In a phased array embodiment, the center element is absent and the plurality of radial elements, are controllable to steer the antenna beam.

Abstract: A formable, porous chemiluminescent reactant composition, device therefore, and a process for production thereof is disclosed. The fluidizable solid admixture of the instant invention may be cured to a more or less rigid form with or without the use of a mold. The cured solid is useful as a chemiluminescent reactant component and is useful in a variety of environments.

Abstract: A children's water toy that has a base unit for directing flow of a fluid in a substantially vertical direction and a spraying unit configured to receive fluid from the base member and rebound the fluid to direct it out of the bottom of the spraying unit so that the spraying unit is maintained aloft by the fluid pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for decorating an edible food without substantially deforming the edible food. A container delivers a liquid decorating substance to an elongated, soft, flexible nib. When placed in contact with a surface of the edible food and moved relative to the edible food, the nib readily laterally flexes when pressure is exerted on the surface by the nib so that the nib does not substantially deform the edible food even when the edible food is soft.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antenna array used with a wireless subscriber unit. The antenna array can have a plurality of antenna elements attached to a housing. Expanding or collapsing the housing can move the antenna elements into an expanded or a collapsed state, respectively.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to an improved package for securing a chemiluminescent lighting device in a storage condition. In particular, the packaging consists of a heat-shrinkable opaque jacket which protects the chemiluminescent chemicals from degradation by light while simultaneously providing rigidity to the device by use of a PVC film or the like thermo-wrap-plastic capable of blocking light and adhering to the outer shape of the chemiluminescent lighting device. Due to the extremely tight fit of the material around the lighting device coupled with the presence of a score line included in the wrap material, a fracture zone is created such that any impact or flexing sufficient to cause admixture of the chemiluminescent components will, in turn, cause the wrapping material to break at the score line and be instantaneously shed.

Abstract: A projectile having photoluminescent properties is exposed to light within a gun when propelled from the gun to excite the photoluminescent surface and provide a visual display by the propelled projectile. The projectile is illuminated by a flash lamp, such as a xenon flash lamp, having a high level ultraviolet light component and relatively low or non-existent red, orange and infrared components.

Abstract: The instant invention is a light shield formed integral with chemiluminescent devices to effectively block ambient light thereby inhibiting photo degradation of chemical reagents when exposed to external light sources. The light shield displaces conventional foil or the like product packaging designed to protect against light yet permits instant and easy activation of chemiluminescent reagents without interfering with the chemiluminescent reaction. The integral light shields further simplify packaging and extend the product shelf life of the chemiluminescent reagents.

Abstract: The instant invention provides for illuminated drinking straws which employ chemiluminescent mixtures as lighting sources. The illuminated drinking straw may be used with either hot or cold beverage such as water, fruit juices, soft drinks, coffees and teas, milk products or alcoholic beverages. A new and exciting drinking straw for amusement purposes is intended.

Abstract: A human lactation system allowing hands free operation and full mobility during use. All required hardware is attached to a user worn vest. The vest is fully adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of sizes and shapes of users. A pair of breast cups are mounted within the vest to provide an interface between the breast and vacuum system. Vacuum quick connect fittings and quick release valves are attached to the breast cups for convenience and safety. A vacuum pump assembly is mounted in the front side of the vest and fluidly connected to the breast cups thereby providing vacuum to extract lactate from a breast. The vacuum magnitude and cycle frequency are controlled by a microprocessor contained within the keypad/controller assembly. The microprocessor controlled vacuum cycle closely mimics an infant's natural sucking frequency. The system is powered by a battery pack attached to the back side of the vest.

Abstract: A rotary device employs an outer housing having an interior surface with a central axis associated therewith, an outer hub assembly, disposed inside said outer housing, having a central axis associated therewith located at a distance from the central axis of the outer housing, an inner hub, disposed inside the outer hub assembly, having a central axis associated therewith and being substantially coaxial with the outer housing, and a plurality of blades, hingedly connected at one end to the inner hub and radiating through the outer hub assembly to contact the interior surface of the outer housing at the other end of the blades, whereby a plurality of relatively airtight compartments are formed between the interior surface of the outer housing, the outer hub assembly, and pairs of blades, with the volume of said compartments varying as a function of the rotative position of the inner hub and outer hub assembly.

Abstract: A high altitude launch platform, used to launch a payload into earth orbit, is part of a payload launch system having a payload launching rocket with an engine carried by the high altitude launch platform. A first amount of fuel, substantially less than the capacity of the fuel tanks, is provided to the fuel tanks of the engines for the launch platform while the launch platform is on the ground. The launch platform is flown to a first altitude and the fuel tanks are provided with a second amount of fuel while the high altitude launch platform is at the first altitude. The addition of the second amount of fuel is sufficient to allow the payload to be launched into orbit.