Abstract: A device and method for generating a visible vortex for display or educational purposes. A container houses a two-phase fluidic system of a primary fluid, such as water, and a secondary fluid such as silicone fluid carrying a powder which has no affinity for the primary fluid. The two-phase fluidic system may be stirred using a stir bar or pump to generate the vortex.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for demonstrating the antistatic properties of at least one first transparent glass substrate, at least part of one of the main surfaces of which is an antistatic surface, said device comprising a hollow box having an upper surface provided with at least one window to which said first transparent glass substrate is fitted, wherein said box contains elements capable of moving under the action of electrostatic attraction, said elements being chosen from cellular particles of synthetic or natural polymers, individualized fibers of synthetic or natural polymers and their blends. The present invention further relates to a method for demonstrating the antistatic properties of at least one first transparent glass substrate by means of the above device.

Abstract: A method for monitoring cleaning of a surface includes applying an amount of transparent indicator material to an area of a surface and measuring the amount of transparent indicator material remaining on the surface. The transparent indicator material may be fixed on the surface by drying and, when a fluorescent material, may be measured through exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for teaching music to one or more students. The instructor's manual operation of a musical instrument controls in real-time the illumination of guide lamps on each student's musical instrument. This allows the students to visually connect the note to be played with the instructor's verbal instruction and then play the visually indicated note without having to look up at the instructor or a distant display. In another embodiment, the instructor's manual operation of his musical instrument provides a score display of the played note on each student's musical instrument. The students can visually connect the played note with the musical notation on the score display. Remote teaching over a communication network is also described as well as a removable interface for the musical instrument to assist in teaching and use of the instrument.

Abstract: In the evaluation apparatus of the present invention, there are formed a plurality of minute channels having a cross-sectional area of not more than 1 mm2, one end of each of these channels joins in at a single meeting point and, when liquids are put into one or more of the liquid reservoirs in a higher position over any other liquid reservoir, the liquids flow down in the channels by gravity. Therefore, a scientific phenomenon, such as the diffusion of molecules, can be qualitatively observed. Furthermore, the apparatus provides a sufficient level of accuracy to enable the user to watch various phenomena involved in advanced technology, and uses no large quantity of chemicals or the like, which means little load on the environment.

Abstract: A preprinted food group triangle sheet having indicia representative of a plurality of food groups thereon is sized to be inserted between a first triangular member and a second triangle member. A plurality of apertures extend in complimentary alignment through both the first and second triangular members. The plurality of apertures are positioned in relation to each of the food groups preprinted on a food group triangle sheet. One or more additional apertures may be provided to record the taking of vitamins, minerals or medication. A punch is provided for manual insertion into an aperture selected from a plurality of apertures. A flexible strap may be used to secure the punch to the food group monitoring apparatus. The food triangle sheets may be releasably secured in a pad, or on a page of a book, to provide a lasting record of the quantity and selection of foods consumed according to food groups, over time.

Abstract: A developed film is illuminated to project its image onto a rear projection screen. A transparent case with a clear liquid filled therein is arranged, and the film is accommodated in the case. A writable transparent or translucent sheet is arranged over a front side of the rear projection screen.

Abstract: A teaching aid for use in conducting classroom experiments is disclosed. The teaching aid includes a transparent, flexible container with an opening at the top, and a rigid container having a rectangular cross-section for holding the flexible container. The rigid container has planar front and back portions, at least one of which is transparent. Accordingly, when the flexible container is disposed in the rigid container, students can easily view fluids and/or other materials held by the flexible container through the transparent portion of the rigid container during, e.g., a science experiment.

Abstract: A developed film is illuminated to project its image onto a rear projection screen. A transparent case with a clear liquid filled therein is arranged, and the film is accommodated in the case. A writable transparent or translucent sheet is arranged over a front side of the rear projection screen.

Abstract: A multi-cultural doll is provided including a color changing mechanism situated therein for changing a color of the doll to simulate persons of various cultures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a model house (10) having a transparent roof (12) and plurality of columns each securely mounted to a base (20). At least three first floor left-right beams (14LRA) which support at least four first floor back-front beams (14BFA). A flooring (24) is securely fastened onto the at least four first floor back-front beams (14BFA). At least two back-front lower beams securely fastened to at least two roof left-right lower beams. A roof left-right center beam (16LRC) is securely fastened to a top distal end of the left-middle-center column (18LMC) and the right-middle-center column (18RMC) by fasteners (22). A roof left-back support beam (16LBD) is securely fastened at a lower distal end to the roof left-right-back lower beam (16LRBL) and the roof back-front-back left lower beam (16BFLL). A roof left-front support beam (16LFD) is securely fastened at a lower distal end to the roof back-front-back left lower beam (16BFLL) and the roof left-right-front lower beam (16LRFL).

Abstract: A learning aid permitting the student to insert a worksheet into a rigid body having space between two planes. One of the planes is clear permitting the instructor to mark on it, performing the work required by the underlying worksheet. The instructor's marking is erased and the student attempts the same task. The work sheet is secured in place by a clipboard. The clipboard rides in a slot to prevent scratching of the clear panel member. The clipboard may be secured in the slot by a latch mechanism.

Abstract: A board game apparatus, comprising a flat, multi-sided game board having a course of successive playing spaces generally positioned along the periphery thereof, successive ones of the spaces being colored with one of a given plurality of colors, a chance device, operable by a player, for selecting one color of the plurality of colors, a manually operable playing piece for each player participating in the game, for indicating the current spatial position of each player along the course, a plurality of groups of color cards, where all the cards of each group of cards are the same color, and each group of cards being a different one of the plurality of colors; and a plurality of color card folders, at least a portion of each folder being colored a different one of the plurality of colors and having a plurality of compartments defined therein which are dimensioned so as to individually receive color cards therein.

Abstract: A simulated insect trapping surface for removably supporting visual representations of insects. A plurality of icons symbolizing insects, for attaching to the simulated trapping surface, and an adhesive interface between each icon and the surface for temporarily holding the icons on the surface, for teaching interpretation of an insect pattern in a sticky monitoring trap. Instead of the adhesive interface, the simulated trapping surface supports visual representations of the insects by including liquid crystal, and is transparent to light for optical projection of the representations for viewing and interpretation.

Abstract: A teaching apparatus or teaching tank which has two, a front and a rear, substantially planar walls at least one of which is transparent. A plurality of bolts and spacers, or molded fasteners are used for holding the front and rear walls in parallel opposed spaced relationship to form the tank volume which tank volume is defined by the planar dimensions of the front and rear walls and the tank cavity width which width is determined by the spacers. The tank side walls and bottom are formed using flexible and deformable tubing, such as PVC tubing which is sealingly compressed by the front and rear walls when they are assembled and defines in combination with the planar walls, at least one working cavity having a working cavity volume. The volume and/or volumes is/are variable and a function of the placement of and the dimensions, the length and the OD, of the tubing and the area of the planar walls.

Abstract: A sound-coded system for teaching beginning reading using four sound descriptors which allows one letter or digraph to represent each sound without altering the traditional orthography, or correct American English spelling, of the original words. The sound descriptors correspond to the long vowel sounds, the single-sound digraphs, the silent or misleading letters, and the sounds made with a slight throat utterance. The simplicity and reliability of sound-coding makes decoding of unfamiliar words a game for beginning readers. A particularly preferred method of use is in the context of a book wherein the opaque text pages are interleaved between transparent pages.

Abstract: A learning aid is disclosed which has particular benefit in the teaching and learning of a foreign language. To allow the reader to become accustomed to full phrase translation, as opposed to word-by-word translation, text and associated graphics are provided on a page. A transparent overlay contains a translation of the page text, positioned on the overlay on an opaque background in register with the wording translated. With the overlay lifted, the reader sees only the text in its original foreign-language version. After translating, the reader can lower the overlay to compare his or her efforts with the provided text.

Abstract: An oscillating wave cell is disclosed. The oscillating wave cell comprises a substantially transparent, fluid vessel having a generally upper surface, a generally lower surface and transparent end caps. The wave cell contains first and second immiscible fluids of different colors, such as primarily a light mineral spirits and water. An air trap is provided which extends downwardly from the lower surface of the vessel. The air trap includes a partition defining a first trap chamber and a second trap chamber. The air trap further includes a plurality of passages extending between the vessel and the first trap chamber for permitting fluid flow therebetween. The partition extends downwardly from the lower vessel surface and includes a slot disposed away from the lower surface for permitting fluid flow between the first trap chamber and the second trap chamber. A base having an upwardly extending rocker mechanism including a cradle concealingly receives the air trap and supports the vessel.

Abstract: A book that can be customized to teach letters, numbers, a series of letters, for example, a word such as a child's name and the like. The front cover has a window or opening through which can be seen the letters. The series of letters is formed by cutting each page short enough than the page beneath it such that letters on the right edge form the series.

Abstract: An educational training device in which a plurality of transparent sheets and base sheets are secured in fixed registry onto a top surface of a frame. A student can trace patterns shown on the base sheets onto the transparent sheets. The student can also remove and/or rearrange any of the sheets to thereby study the different interrelationships between the patterns. In addition, a top transparent sheet can be marked upon to draw a pattern that is extrapolated from the data provided by the underlying sheets.

Abstract: An instructive toy consisting in a disassemblable vehicle model, which comprises a supporting structure which substantially simulates the frame of a real vehicle and is provided with releasable connections, and a number of operative units, provided with releasable connections complementary to the releasable connections of the supporting structure, and also provided with operative connections complementary to corresponding operative connections of other units. Each operative unit simulates a main functional unit of a real vehicle, particularly an engine unit, a speed gear unit and a differential unit, and each operative unit comprises movable component parts intended to simulate the operation of the simulated real functional unit, mounted within a transparent casing which allows their observation. The structure and the operation of the different operative units may be observed both separately in the disassembled model, and in their whole in the mounted model.

Abstract: A learning aid permitting the student to insert a worksheet into a rigid body having space between two planes. One of the plaens is clear permitting the instructor to mark on it, performing the work demanded by the underlying worksheet. The instructor's marking is erased and the student attempts the same task. The work sheet is secured in place either by (i) its natural mechanical tension with the two planes, or (ii) by an insert mechanism securing the paper either through electrical attraction or by a mechanical clip.

Abstract: A dental educational device is presented for use in the oral hygiene field to better inform patients and the like of the proper procedures for cleaning teeth and gums with toothbrushes, floss or other tools. The artificial teeth are formed from a transparent material and include a removable top and if desired a portion of a side whereby, upon removal of the top, an observer can see through the side walls of the tooth to better see and understand the contact of the toothbrush bristles or floss with the outer enamel of the teeth and sulcus areas of the gums.

Abstract: An apparatus in the shape of a transparent human doll having an opening at its top and an open-end box as its base. Several transparent slides, one with a stylized graph of a healthy person's insides with said person's beautiful red arteries, clear blue veins and undamaged internal organs; the rest transparent slides bearing stylized graphs of partially symbolically damaged internal organs depicted as black areas as a result of drug use are to be inserted into or removed from the said doll from its top. The integration or disintegration of the image of the black areas of the transparent slides depicts increasing or decreasing in damage by drug use and disuse. The picture of the transparencies inside said doll give kids strong and direct message of health effects of drug abuse. The doll can be personalized with the photography of the kid who plays with the doll. Two non-transparent slides are also included.

Abstract: A simulated nuclear energy power plant system with visible internal working components comprising a reactor adapted to contain a liquid with heating elements submerged in the liquid and capable of heating the liquid to an elevated temperature, a steam generator containing water and a heat exchanger means to receive the liquid at an elevated temperature, transform the water to steam, and return the spent liquid to the reactor; a steam turbine receiving high energy steam to drive the turbine and discharging low energy steam to a condenser where the low energy steam is condensed to water which is returned to the steam generator; an electric generator driven by the turbine; indicating means to identify the physical status of the reactor and its contents; and manual and automatic controls to selectively establish normal or abnormal operating conditions in the reactor, steam generator, pressurizer, turbine, electric generator, condenser, and pumps; and to be selectively adjusted to bring the reactor to acceptable o

Abstract: A training apparatus by which situations liable to occur during drilling for oil and gas, such as a blow out, may be simulated to teach better control thereof. The apparatus comprises a miniature drilling rig, a transparent bore hole casing imitation and a pressurized oil/gas reservoir imitation sealed from the casing by an easily through-drilled plug in the lower end of the casing.