Abstract: A new and distinct Vaccinium spp. cultivar named ‘CORABLUE’ is disclosed, characterized by a compact plant habit, vigorous growth and glossy leaves. The new variety shows tolerance for a wide variety of soil moisture conditions, including drought. The new variety is a Vaccinium, and is normally used as an ornamental garden or landscape plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-MNLS’, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, extremely upright, sturdy growth, and large flowers having a large dark red eye extending about 40 percent of the way into the petal, and edged in scarlet red, which is sharply margined against a medium pink zone which extends to the petal margin, which may be marked with suffusions of ivory and blush pink.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-DLR’, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, semi-upright habit appropriate for container production and culture, freely flowering habit, and very large flowers having a deep red eye zone, a brilliant hot pink body, with faintly iridescent, light pink ribs radiating from the eye zone into the body.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-RPL’, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, upright growth, and large flowers having a large glossy red eye, with each petal having a conspicuous red-speckled region of white on the underlapping portion. The eye radiates into a zone of dull red which extends to the edge of the petal.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-GLDN’, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, upright growth, and large flowers having a small brown-orange eye edged in a narrow band of tan which is narrowly margined in the same color as the eye. The remainder of the petal is tan with light brown-orange suffusion. Upon opening, the entire flower is suffused in bright brown-orange.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-CBS’, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, semi-upright habit appropriate for container production and culture, freely flowering habit, and large flowers characterized by an eye zone which abuts a zone of lavender extending to the outer edges of the petal, shading into a pink lavender at the petal margin.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-MNDC’, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, sturdy, upright habit appropriate for container production and culture, freely flowering habit, and flowers characterized by white pistil and style, to which are attached the primary whorl of petals as well as small petaloids, petals and petaloids devoid of color for 30 percent of their length, with the remainder a pastel yellow, with marginal suffusions of yellow orange.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-DXLD’, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, prostrate growth, and large flowers having a medium sized dark red eye which extends about 25 percent of petal length to the edge of a variable pink zone which grades evenly from a medium pink at the overlapping edge to a light pink at the underlapping edge, with a petal margin of light orange.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-ANG’, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, sturdy, upright growth, and large flowers having a large red eye zone which is sharply margined against a violet zone which extends to the petal margins, with suffusion of purple pink on the underlapping edge of each petal.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-LVW’, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, upright habit appropriate for container production and culture, freely flowering habit, and large double flower having a medium-sized dull red eye zone from which whitish yellow petal veins radiate into yellow petals suffused or finely speckled with bright orange.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-EOK’, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, upright habit appropriate for container production and culture, freely flowering habit, and large, double flowers having a complex eye zone with a medium-sized semi-glossy dark red center which radiates into a narrow band of violet, which radiates through a narrow band of brown orange into orange-suffused gold petals. The orange suffusion does not reach the margins of the gold petals.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-CJSS’, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, sturdy, upright growth, and large flowers having a dark red eye radiating for 30 percent of the petal length in to a zone of bright orange with yellow veins which shades to a light orange toward the petal margin, which is edged in yellow.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-NEB’, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, almost prostrate, sturdy habit, and large flowers having a brown-orange center, shading to a glossy light brown-orange zone which radiates, via petal veins, into a petal of brown coral orange.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of hibiscus plant named ‘DUP-MMS’, characterized by glossy, dark green leaves, extensively upright, sturdy growth, and large flowers having a dark red eye which radiates between the petal veins to approximately 30 percent of the petal length, into a rich pink zone traversed by the petal veins in a medium pink, the rich pink zone shading to blush pink at the petal margin.

Abstract: A new Verbena plant named ‘Puwydena’ particularly distinguished by the bold-medium violet colored flowers with a distinct white eye, medium green foliage, medium sized creeping and trailing plant habit with good branching and is early to flower.

Abstract: A new and distinct Antirrhinum cultivar named ‘AACOR01’ is disclosed, characterized a compact, mounding plant habit and flexible stems. The new variety is an Antirrhinum, typically produced as a garden or container plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct Guzmania hybrid cultivar named ‘SCHIELI’ is disclosed, characterized by a compact plant form, yellow bracts with red tips and many leaves. The new variety is a Guzmania, and is normally used as an ornamental plant.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Pennisetum setaceum named ‘Cherry Sparkler’, characterized by its variegated foliage with distinct longitudinal stripes that are creamy white and green in color and flushed with pink when exposed to full sun with greater expression of the pink flush when growing in cooler temperatures, its height of 91 to 102 cm, and its blooms that open burgundy in color.

Abstract: An anatomic dry athletic toe sock includes a sock shaft section with a shaft support section to encircle a lower part of a leg of a wearer and to maintain the sock in proper orientation upon a wearer's leg, and a closed foot section adapted to receive the foot of the wearer. The closed foot section includes a heel section adapted to receive a heel of the wearer therein, an arch section having an arch support section to encircle the foot of the wearer in the arch of the wearer's foot and to prevent the arch section from moving relative to the wearer's foot, and a plurality of separated, closed toe sections to receive toes of the foot of the wearer. The toe sections are joined by nested, overlapping material portions. The sock is also made at least partially of an air-permeable hydrophobic fiber material.

Abstract: Footwear for protecting a wearer's foot includes an upper an upper that defines an opening for receiving a wearer's foot and an outsole attached to the upper, the upper further including a vamp having a proximal and a distal region, an elastic instep guard positioned on an instep portion of the upper to protect a metatarsal region of the foot, the elastic instep guard extending from the distal region to the proximal region of the vamp which is attached to the toe portion of the steel toe. The instep guard has a plurality of hollow passages.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrostatic discharge (ESD) device with an improved ESD robustness for protecting output buffers in I/O cell libraries. The ESD device according to the present invention uses a novel I/O cell layout structure for implementing a turn-on restrained method that reduces the turn-on speed of an ESD guarded MOS transistor by adding a pick-up diffusion region and/or varying channel lengths in the layout structure.

Abstract: Smooth, stable and high quality game image is provided by accurately pre-reading background data required for image processing each time. The game device therefore reads background data required for a game that displays a condition of a moving vehicle within a virtual three-dimensional space together with a background in the main memory from a CD-ROM (recording medium) prior to image processing. This device comprises a pre-reading unit for pre-reading background data from a recording medium when reading a start line (reference line) set at a distant position in a specified distance away from the limit line of the visual field direction of display is crossing a new area. A recording medium is a medium that records background data by dividing it into a plurality of areas in advance, and the pre-reading unit comprises a unit for judging on which of the areas the reference line is crossing, and a reading unit for reading in memory the background data of the area judged as being crossed with the reference line.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate having one surface on which a first electrode is provided, a second substrate which is provided with a second electrode, and a liquid crystal layer which is interposed between the first and second substrates. Negative dielectric anisotropy homeotropic aligning films are formed on mutually faced surfaces of the first and second electrodes, respectively. A pair of polarizing plates are arranged on a side of the other surface opposite to the one surface of each substrate. A pair of optical compensation layers are arranged respectively between the other surfaces of the substrates and the polarizing plates, and give a retardation having a value which is substantially ¼ of a wavelength ? of transmitted visible light to the transmitted visible light.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing data packets within a communication system such as a synchronous optical network (SONET) detect an invalid byte and drop and shift bytes of data to address an invalid byte. A method according to one embodiment of the present invention, includes receiving a first data packet in the communication system. Thereafter, it is determined whether this packet ends with both a valid byte and an invalid byte of data. If both the valid and invalid bytes are present, the invalid byte is dropped and a valid byte from a succeeding data packet is concatenated with the valid byte of the first data packet, and byte shifting occurs in the succeeding data packet. Byte shifting continues until a second packet ending with an invalid byte is encountered. Skipping a clock cycle at the end of the second packet with the invalid byte results in packets with only valid data.

Abstract: An electric vehicle with fuel cells mounted thereon has a fuel tank that stores a fuel therein, and a connector receptor that is connected to the fuel tank and is open to the surface of the vehicle body. A connector of a predetermined hydrogen supply device is fitted in and attached to the connector receptor, so that a supply of fuel is fed from the hydrogen supply device to the electric vehicle. The connector receptor is provided with a fuel lid for covering over the connector receptor. When it is determined that the fuel cells are in a working state, the fuel lid is not opened in response to input of an opening instruction of the fuel lid in the course of fuel supply. When it is determined that the fuel lid is open, on the other hand, operation of the fuel cells is not started in response to input of a starting instruction of the fuel cells in the electric vehicle. Such an arrangement enhances the safety of fuel supply to any system with fuel cells.

Abstract: One or more networked computers (18) receives input from a customer (12) specifying two or more vendors having vendor web sites (14) from which to purchase goods or services during an online shopping session, receives input from the two or more vendors indicating that the customer has purchased goods or services at the two or more vendor web sites during the online shopping session, and outputs a single online receipt (32) to the customer reflecting all goods or services purchased at the two or more vendor web sites during the online shopping session. Sales tax may be collected from the customer for goods or services purchased during the online shopping session and electronically disbursed tax to one or more tax authorities. Payment for the goods or services purchased during the online shopping session may be electronically collected and disbursed to vendors. Credits for one or more purchased goods or services may also be disbursed.

Abstract: A system and method for securing accessories to shoes and other wearable items is described. One illustrative embodiment is a system for attaching a decorative accessory to a wearable item, the system comprising a shaft having first and second ends; a first shoulder secured to the first end of the shaft, the first shoulder being configured for insertion through an expandable hole in the wearable item and configured to engage an inner surface of the wearable item; a second shoulder secured to the second end of the shaft, the second shoulder being configured to engage the wearable item; and a third shoulder adjacent to the second shoulder, the third shoulder comprising the decorative accessory.

Abstract: A lower-body garment is provided having a secure waist assembly. The garment includes an outer shell having a waistband. The waist assembly is attached to the interior side of the waistband at a prescribed location on the waist assembly with the remaining portions of the waist assembly being free of the outer shell. The waist assembly includes an intermediate section, end sections, and end fasteners, which cooperate to promote a secure and comfortable waist fit. When secured in place, the waist assembly wraps snuggly against the waist of the wearer.

Abstract: Swimming goggles include a left frame, a right frame and a connecting member integrally shaped, a pair of lenses received in the left frame and the right frame, buckles assembled on outward sides of the left frame and the right frame, and a nose support. The lenses respectively have first latches beside outward sides of the left frame and the right frame, and second latches beside inward sides of the left frame and the right frame. The buckles form first embedding portions for mounting with the first latches of the lenses. The nose support forms second embedding portions for assembling with the second latches of the lenses. During manufacturing, the nose support, the buckles and the lenses are assembled together, and are then shaped with the left frame, the right frame and the connecting member when the left frame, the right frame and the connecting member are shaped integrally.

Abstract: The invention relates to metering dispensers for release of a product into a WC bowl of a toilet, comprising a fixing region which is constructed in order to fix the metering dispenser in the region of the toilet, in particular under a WC lid, and a storage container for accommodating the product. Such metering dispensers have the problem that the product can be metered only inaccurately and not very variably. This problem is solved according to the invention in that the storage container is constructed for accommodation of pre-portioned products and a delivery device which is constructed in order to deliver at least one pre-portioned product from the storage container into the WC bowl is provided.

Abstract: A toilet hinge includes a hinge body adapted for pivotally coupling with the toilet seat, a hinge base, which is adapted for attaching on the toilet bowl of the toilet, detachably coupled with the hinge body for detachably coupling the toilet seat on the toilet bowl; and a locking arrangement which includes a retention lock operatively moving between a locking status that locks up the hinge body with the hinge base and a releasing status that unlock the hinge body the said hinge base, and a self-lock retaining the retention lock at the releasing status. The user is able to easily remove the toilet seat by unlocking the retention lock such that the retention lock is remained at the releasing status by the self-lock. Therefore, the toilet seat is adapted to be removed from the toilet bowl by detaching the hinge body from the hinge base.

Abstract: A support platform for wall mounted toilets is described. The platform attaches easily under the toilet and contains bolts and feet for adjustment. The platform provides support to wall mounted toilets so that persons of weight greater than the rated load of the wall mounted toilet can use the toilet in comfort and safety. It is removable for use in different bathrooms, easily transported and can be sterilized where bacterial or viral contamination is a concern.

Abstract: A putting green whose perimeter is level with the top of a concrete-sided pool having a decorative ribbon along the top of the pool side and an apron surrounding the pool having at least partially flat surface, the putting green overlying a deck including a) a waterproof surface comprising decking surface members having lengths and ends, the lengths being sized to the dimensions of the pool and the surface being at the same level as the pool apron; b) supports including i. cross members which are perpendicular to the lengths of the decking surface members; ii. underlying joists that form a sturdy base for the cross members; and iii. joist hangers being secured to the sides of the pool below the decorative ribbon along the top of the pool side and being sunk into the concrete side of the pool; and c) a putting green comprising at least the layers of gravel, sand and artificial grass.

Abstract: A toilet flush flapper valve includes a flapper and a ballast with a vent hole for enabling air to escape from the ballast, the ballast is rotatably fixed to the flapper for enabling positioning of the vent hole for controlling buoyancy of the ballast in order to control closing time of said flapper.

Abstract: A waste collection device suspended below a shower chair for collecting human defecation and other bodily waste before such waste contacts a shower room floor. Due to its function, the mat further provides greater confidence and less anxiety in physically challenged and infirm individuals. The present invention is suspended by a plurality of adjustable support straps which may attach to support structures of any conventional shower chair. Support straps may include upper straps and lower straps that may be used either separately or in combination. A disposable flat collecting material may be held in place atop the upper surface of the mat by holding straps attached along opposing edges of the mat. The present invention serves to eliminate the spread of infection by preventing the shower room floor from becoming contaminated with feces and/or other bodily waste.

Abstract: A shower device is attached to a wall and is not connected in a fixed manner to the interior shower or to an additional hand shower. A hose that extends from a plumbing fixture to a hand shower is used for supplying the shower device or hand shower. The hand shower has an outlet for water discharged from the hose. The outlet can be joined to an inlet into the shower device such that the water reaches the shower device via the hand shower. The shower device can be configured as a wall-mounted rod. Preferably, the connection that redirects the water is established by a mechanical coupling device.

Abstract: A cushioned bath lounger adapted for use in a bathtub, or spa, and positioned proximate to the back surface of the bathtub. The cushioned bath lounger presenting a resting place for the head and shoulders of a reclined bather. The lounger having first and second support rails anchored to each side of the bathtub. A flexible support member is positioned between and attached to each support rail. The flexible support member has a first chamber with a visco-elastic pad positioned within to support the bathers head. The flexible support member may also include a second chamber configured to be inflated by air. The air filled second chamber then provides gentle floatation support to the reclined bather when immersed in a bath. The flexible support of the lounger may be adjustably positioned between the support rails and locked in place. The lounger may also be configured such that the flexible support may glide freely along the support rails to provide a rocking motion to the reclined bather.

Abstract: An adjustable hand rail has a wall-mountable base member and a bar member which mounts to the wall-mountable base member, an axis is defined by the bar member. The bar member is manually rotatable with respect to the wall-mountable base member. The bar member has means for being selectively locked into any one of a plurality of different axial positions with respect to the wall-mountable base member, including a vertical axial position, a horizontal axial position, and various intermediate axial positions between the vertical axial position and the horizontal axial position.

Abstract: A shower curtain assembly is designed to provide users with an apparatus that provides much wide shower space for consumers than traditional one, prevents the curtain from moving inward, eliminate water spilling onto the floor, and even allows the user to sit on a top periphery of a bathtub near the curtain when the shower is in use. It is simply comprised of a shower curtain support rod that bows outward from a shower enclosure along its length, a shower curtain, hooks, and means that secures the shower curtain to achieve the abovementioned goal. The means includes main weights attached to the lower portion of the curtain, wires connected to the lower portion of the curtain and holders fixed to the bottom edges of the sidewalls of the shower enclosure, and wires with magnets attached. Only one of them needs to be chosen for the shower enclosure for the aforementioned functions.

Abstract: The invention refers to a mechanism for the preferably length-adjustable fastening of a semi-pedestal (1) under furniture (2), such as a basin (2?), in particular a wash basin in a kitchen or washroom, having at least one tension member (3), which is attached, preferably releasably, on the one hand, to a mounting plate, e.g. a wall holder (4) of the furniture (2) provided with a fastening bolt (10) and, on the other hand, to the wall (5) of the semi-pedestal (1), where the tension member (3), which may be elastically compliant, is equipped in at least one terminal region (6) in the manner of a cable tie, with latching means (7), e.g. a toothed formation, and which can be introduced by way of the terminal region (6) into an accommodating element (8) which can be attached to the holder (4) of the furniture (2) and/or the wall (5) of the semi-pedestal (1) and formed as a counter-latching element and can be held there as well as furniture equipped with at least one such mechanism.