Abstract: A securing device (10) is mountable on an article, and comprises a guide formation (14). A fastening arrangement (18) is movable relative to the guide formation to fasten the article to the securing device. An urging arrangement (26) is operable to urge the fastening arrangement relative to the guide formation between fastening and non-fastening positions. The guide formation is arranged to guide the fastening arrangement to the fastening position. An indicator (38) is movable by the urging arrangement from a non-indicating condition to an indicating condition when the fastening arrangement is moved to the fastening position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to enforce a power off state of an audience measurement device during shipping of the device are disclosed herein. An example portable audience measurement device includes a housing, a media detector in the housing to collect media exposure data, and a packaging sensor to receive an audio signal. A packaging detector generates a frequency spectrum of the detected audio signal, determines an energy of a first frequency associated with the generated frequency spectrum, determines an energy of a second frequency higher than the first frequency and associated with the generated frequency spectrum, and compares the difference between the energy of the first frequency and the second frequency to a muffling threshold to determine whether the device is located within a package.

Abstract: A knockdown container A having a hook member 4 attached to the sleeve 2 such as to be rotatable in a plane parallel to the surface of the sleeve 2, and a receptacle portion 12 formed in the pallet 1 to retain the hook member 4. Alternatively, a knockdown container A having a hook member 4 attached to the sleeve 2 such that it is accommodated in a cut-out portion 21 formed in the sleeve 2.

Abstract: A packaged antimicrobial suture. The packaged antimicrobial suture includes an inner package having a source of antimicrobial agent, the source of antimicrobial agent comprising a plurality of patches, each patch having a pair of antimicrobial material reservoirs; at least one suture positioned within the inner package, the at least one suture comprising one or more surfaces; and an outer package having an inner surface, the outer package having the inner package positioned within; wherein the at least one suture, the inner package and the inner surface of the outer package are subjected to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the antimicrobial agent source to the at least one suture and the inner package, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the at least one suture and the inner package. A method of making a packaged antimicrobial suture having is also provided.

Abstract: A surgical fastener system can comprise a plurality of fasteners which can be connected to one another by a retention matrix which is assembled to the fasteners in order to capture tissue therebetween. In various embodiments, each fastener can comprise a base and the distance in which the retention matrix is seated relative to the fastener bases can be selectively determined by a surgeon in order to apply a desired pressure to the tissue. In certain embodiments, each fastener can further comprise a fastener leg and the retention matrix can comprise a first layer configured to engage the fastener legs. The retention matrix can further comprise a second layer mounted to the first layer which can comprise one or more encapsulations containing a medicine therein. The encapsulations can be aligned with retention apertures in the retention matrix such that they can be punctured by the fastener legs.

Abstract: A method of making a packaged antimicrobial suture comprising the steps of providing a containment compartment that is substantially free of an antimicrobial agent; positioning a suture within the containment compartment, said suture comprising one or more surfaces having an antimicrobial agent disposed thereon, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof; placing the containment compartment having the suture in an outer package; and subjecting the outer package, the containment compartment and the suture to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the suture to the containment compartment, while retaining an effective amount of said antimicrobial agent on the suture, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the suture and the containment compartment.

Abstract: Disclosed is an orthodontic bracket case, and more particularly to an orthodontic bracket case, which provides easy identification of orthodontic brackets stored in the case to assist an orthodontist in easily identifying and selecting a desired one of the brackets suitable for a tooth at a glance when attempting to select the bracket from the case and bond and fix the same to an outer surface of the tooth upon orthodontia, thereby achieving improvements in operation convenience and efficiency. The orthodontic bracket case includes a plurality of recesses formed in dual rows in a main body. The recesses have the same shape as teeth and are arranged according to the sequence of a set of teeth such that the orthodontic brackets corresponding to the shape of the recesses are stored in the respective recesses to enable easy selection of the orthodontic brackets suitable for teeth.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to enforce a power off state of an audience measurement device during shipping of the device are disclosed herein. An example portable audience measurement device includes a housing, a media detector in the housing to collect media exposure data and a packaging sensor to detect a stimulus generated within the package. A packaging detector compares the detected stimulus to a criterion to determine whether the device is located within the package.

Abstract: A multifunctional USB flash drive organizer includes a main unit, an interior of which is provided with a containing chamber to put USB flash drives. A side of the containing chamber is pivoted with USB sockets which can turn and a wire containing slot is provided beside the containing chamber. The main unit is provided with a wire collection device and a USB connector, with that a connection cable of the USB connector is electrically interconnected with the wire collection device. In addition, multiple USB flash drives can all operate at a same time. A wallet unit encloses the main unit as a box which is convenient in labeling for drive management and can be carried easily.

Abstract: Touch fastener products (10) are made by distributing a multiplicity of discrete fastening bits (14, 14a, 14b) over a support surface (12) and fixing the distributed bits (14, 14a, 14b) to the support surface (12), such as by an adhesive (32). Each bit (14, 14a, 14b) has opposite side surfaces (24, 24b, 26, 26b) forming boundaries of surfaces defining projections (16) extending in different directions from the fastening bits (14, 14a, 14b), at least one of the opposite side surfaces (24, 24b, 26, 26b) being non-planar, and each projection (16) has an overhanging head (18). As fixed, each bit (14, 14a, 14b) is oriented with at least one of its projection heads (18) raised from the support surface (12) to releasably engage fibers (30). Bits (14, 14a, 14b) are made by pelletizing shaped rails (36). Applications include securing floor coverings (150).

Abstract: A method of making a packaged antimicrobial suture having improved shelf life. The method comprising the steps of providing an inner package having a source of antimicrobial agent, providing an adsorbent material effective to adsorb a portion of the antimicrobial agent over time, positioning a suture within the inner package, the suture comprising one or more surfaces, covering the inner package with an outer package having an inner surface and subjecting the suture, the inner package and the inner surface of the outer package to time, temperature and pressure conditions sufficient to vapor transfer an effective amount of the antimicrobial agent from the antimicrobial agent source to the suture and the inner package, thereby substantially inhibiting bacterial colonization on the suture and the inner package, wherein the packaged antimicrobial suture exhibits improved shelf life.

Abstract: A surgical drill guide for guiding a drill bit and limiting the depth of holes drilled by is disclosed. In some embodiments the surgical drill guide includes the following: a body including a drill bit entry side and a tissue contact side opposite the drill bit entry side, the drill bit entry side having first and second surfaces that are offset from one another, the tissue contact side including a tissue contact surface that is defined by one or more tissue contact points; drill bit guide holes extending from the drill bit entry side of the first and second surfaces to the tissue contact side of the body; and implant storage holes defined in one of the plurality of sides of the body for storing shape memory implants during shipment of the system, the implant storage holes being spaced a distance commensurate to dimensions of the shape memory implant.

Abstract: A golf bag that includes a main bag and an accessory bag coupled to the main bag. The main bag is formed to include a bag-receiver chamber that is configured to accept the accessory bag. The accessory bag is coupled to the main bag by posts that engage a retention slots formed in the side walls of the bag-receiver chamber. The accessory bag is supported by the main bag and includes a foldable leg assembly that permits the accessory bag to be set up in a tripod configuration when separated from the main bag. The golf bag also includes a slot formed in the side walls of the main bag to allow the main bag to be secured to a golf cart by a retaining strap provided on the golf cart while still allowing the accessory bag to be separated from the main bag.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to enforce a power off state of an audience measurement device during shipping of the device are disclosed herein. An example portable audience measurement device includes a housing, a media detector in the housing to collect media exposure data, and a packaging sensor to receive an audio signal. A packaging detector generates a frequency spectrum of the detected audio signal, determines an energy of a first frequency associated with the generated frequency spectrum, determines an energy of a second frequency higher than the first frequency and associated with the generated frequency spectrum, and compares the difference between the energy of the first frequency and the second frequency to a muffling threshold to determine whether the device is located within a package.

Abstract: A hair root collection kit for delivering hair samples to a laboratory for DNA analysis of the root sheaths includes a card with an adhesive strip extending thereacross for holding the hair samples on the card. With the hair samples on the card, the root sheaths overlie a non-adhesive impermeable plastic area. The card is covered by a clear plastic cover for protecting the hair during delivery to the laboratory.

Abstract: A soft-carton-type cigarette pack made from a one-piece blank of paper or the like. A base wall is reinforced by a double-layered design of base tabs and, in addition, is provided with a reinforcing strip which runs around the inside. An opening aid is provided, in interaction with a Z-fold, in the region of an end wall. An exposed grip tab can be gripped for the purpose of removing a tear-open flap, bounded by perforation lines, in the region of the end wall.

Abstract: A cassette for a printing ribbon comprises a casing accommodating a supply spool which has a tube on which the printing ribbon is wound. An anti-unrolling element of plastics material comprises two portions of elongate shape, which are connected by means of an integral elastic hinge. The first portion performs a guiding and positioning function and is accommodated by means of a slot within the casing. The second portion has a blocking function with regard to the tube, and is movable on the outside of the casing, by means of the elastic hinge, from an inoperative position in which it is aligned with the first portion to an operative position in which it is rotated through 180.degree. and is substantially in superposed relationship with the first portion.

Abstract: An article of manufacture and a method are provided where a protective cap for a connector provides antibacterial effect to the connector by fixedly lining a chamber of the protective cap with an absorbent material retaining an antiseptic. By mating a skirt on the protective cap with a corresponding flange on a medical connector, a contamination proof seal is also provided which functions to limit contamination from the outside of the cap and retain a liquid antiseptic on the inside of the cap.

Abstract: Loading of a pull-through blind riveting mandrel is effected by arranging on an elongated sleeve a plurality of hollow rivets assembled head-to-tail, threading the mandrel along the sleeve, and transferring the rivets to the mandrel while withdrawing the sleeve. In addition to this procedure the invention contemplates provision of a package or assemblage for facilitating storage and/or transfer of the rivets of a column to a reuseable rivet-installing mandrel.