Abstract: A storage system is provided for paper and electronic documents. Electronic documents include electronic image documents and electronic work documents, which may be completely unrelated in form or content, are acquired or produced to provide one or more real time sequences of electronic documents in one or more real time sequences of date/time instances. Acquired or produced physical documents, for ultimate convenience, simply are added to the front (or the back) of one or more cumulative physical stack. The resulting electronic records of a database, with assured precision, uniquely identify the physical locations of the physical documents and the electronic locations of the electronic documents, both in terms of their associated date/time instances. In effect, these date/time instances guarantee that virtual sets of related physical documents may be conveniently accessed and physically retrieved, and that corresponding sets of related electronic documents may be immediately displayed and suitably presented.

Abstract: A dough shell mold for use with a dough press having lower and upper platens with opposed working surfaces. The shell mold has a hub integral with or secured to the lower platen and a ring resting on the lower platen with a hole that mates with the hub. The ring includes an annular groove adjacent to the ring perimeter for producing a raised rim on the shell. In a second embodiment, the ring may have an inner ring mating with the hub and an outer ring around the inner ring. The junction of the rings is the annular groove. Another aspect of the present invention is a notch in the shell mold surface between the mold perimeter and annular groove. A spatula is inserted through the notch between the dough and upper platen to put downward pressure on the dough in order to prevent the dough from shrinking after the upper platen is raised.

Abstract: A manually operated dough press comprising a frame with a base and a housing, an upper platen having a working surface, and a lower platen attached to the base and having a working surface opposed to, substantially parallel to, and spaced from the upper platen working surface. The upper platen is attached to the lower end of a shaft that extends from the housing and mounted for reciprocating motion. A pair of mated interlocking components, one attached to the shaft and one attached to the housing, provide stability for vertical reciprocation. The drive mechanism includes a rack on the shaft interlocking component, a mating pinion fixed to an axle that is part of a handle that an operator uses to raise and lower the upper platen. Counterbalance for the upper platen/shaft is provided by a torsion spring assembly.

Abstract: A well styled, single layer shell jacket is resistant to inclement conditions, yet possesses the various characteristics of conventionally comfortable clothing, and permits the stitching of emblems thereon without impairing waterproof and windproof characteristics. Superposed on the waterproof and windproof fabric of each sleeve and forming a pocket thereon is a patch. In the patch is a zipper or other closure. This closure, when opened, permits entry into the pocket and sewing of an emblem or the like on the packet without affecting the waterproof and windproof construction of the remainder of the jacket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically controlling variation in an attribute of a light beam employing materials with unusually high electrooptical coefficients that are subject to optical damage from the light beam being controlled. The method includes providing a transmission medium composed of a high sensitivity electrooptic material transparent to the light beam and having a nonzero electrooptic coefficient, where the medium is adapted to receive, propagate, and output the light beam. The medium is subjected to an electric field, the strength of which is controlled to determine the amount of variation of the light beam attribute. The field is generated by electrodes appropriately enclosing the medium and inducing a voltage across the electrodes. The medium is illuminated by a suppressing light source, the illumination being intense enough to significantly reduce charge distribution inhomogeneity within the medium.

Abstract: A streaming metatree data storage structure in which each data item is stored as a procession of nodes and where data units common to more than one data item are stored only once. The nodes are stored in a logically linear fashion, or stream, and information within a node indicates its relationship to the other nodes and with the tree hierarchy. The data structure provides a mechanism for distributing the nodes among multiple physical memory blocks and for traversing backwards through the tree. Data items are added by creating a temporary tree for new items until it becomes too large, and then merging the temporary tree into the main tree.

Abstract: A method for playing a Pai Gow-type poker game where a random number generator is used to determine the first player or dealer position to receive a hand. Each player may place a side bet on which position is first to receive a hand.

Abstract: A water cooler with a drip tray in which liquid in the drip tray drains through a drain hole connected to a pump. When liquid is detected, the pump activates to pump the liquid to a remote drain. A filter at the drain hole traps overly-large particles. One filter embodiment includes a vertical rigid pipe with a plurality of side wall apertures through which the liquid drains. Another filter embodiment includes a fine mesh at the drain hole. The drip tray is covered by a removable strainer. With the first filter embodiment, the strainer includes a plug that fits into the upper opening of the filter pipe to hold the strainer in place. The electric pump is activated by a sensor that detects the presence of liquid in the inlet hose and remains on for a period after liquid is no longer detected so that the liquid is pumped the full distance to the drain.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a weight on a supine person's abdomen for performing abdominal exercises, including a base and a platform removably resting on the base. The platform has at least one depression for receiving a curl barbell, a straight barbell, and/or dumbbells. Optionally, pegs may extend from the platform surface for maintaining the position of a stack of disc weights laid on top of the platform. Optionally, the platform under surface has resilient palm pads for the user to aid in stabilizing the apparatus while in use. The base has a curved underside with padding and rests on the user's abdomen. A unitary embodiment is a rigid plate. A two-part embodiment has a foundation with a tray and a pedestal that sits in the tray. Optionally, the curved wings extend from sides of the base down around the sides of the user's abdomen. Pins in holes position the platform on top of the base. Optionally, a removable latch secures the platform to the base.

Abstract: An imaging processor microcircuit incorporating an integral image buffer, preferably a synchronous random-access memory device. Access to the image buffer is controlled by an image buffer access prioritizer. When the prioritizer detects that a device desires image buffer access, it signals all lower-priority devices to suspend accesses until the higher-priority device has completed access. An image sensor interface transfers image sensor data to the image buffer. As each pixel data is read, it is modified by reference data read from the image buffer then stored in the image buffer. The read, modify, write process takes three of a possible five cycles, leaving two unused cycles for image buffer access by other devices. The image buffer is also temporary image storage for an optional LCD and an optional print engine. The LCD interface uses the unused cycles to read LCD image data.

Abstract: A surgical capsule of the present invention is positioned in an artery or vein by threading a catheter containing the capsule from a proximal incision in the blood vessel to a location within the blood vessel adjacent to a lesion. The catheter comprises an outer holding sheath, an intermediate deployment sheath, and an inner guide wire, all of which are reciprocable with respect to each other. The capsule includes (1) a control sub-assembly that includes a hub and a plurality of outwardly biased leaf springs, and (2) a filter sub-assembly that includes a porous dome that is capable of permitting fluid flow, but retaining particles. Domes of different porosity may be affixed to the leaf springs. The position of the capsule is controlled by the guide wire. The present invention allows the interchangeability of mesh caps of different diameters and mesh sizes. By using the same capsule and the same deployment method, tines or hooks on the shrouds hold the elasticized rim on the mesh.

Abstract: A foldable beach chair with an audio player integrated into the armrest. A compact disk player is hinged at the bottom to open outwardly from the stationary section on the armrest. When closed, the CD player forms a seal that substantially protects the CD from the beach environment. A mechanical clasp holds the CD player closed when the CD is playing. The other armrest has a covered storage compartment and, optionally, a drink holder. Optionally, the chair has a large pouch composed of a mesh material. Optionally, the chair has as set of small pouches. Optionally, the chair has a carrying strap.

Abstract: A product and process involving pants having customized bands or stripes at their sides. The pants include gaps extending down the sides of the legs. A decorative band fits within the gap and is attached by continuous fasteners, such as zippers and/or discrete fasteners, such as snaps. The process comprises acquiring a relatively small inventory of pants of different sizes, acquiring a relatively large inventory of decorative bands of different colors and/or designs, and receiving and fulfilling orders for the customized pants by inserting and attaching the bands within the gaps as needed to fulfill orders.

Abstract: A viscosity and viscoelasticity measuring instrument has a cam, a follower arm, a flat spring, a plate fixture, and a removable plate assembly. The cam is a rotating circular disk with a spiral slot. A cam follower on the follower arm resides in the spiral slot so that the follower arm pivots about its fixed end as the cam rotates. The spring is attached to and collinear with the fixed end of the follower arm so that the spring pivots in the opposite direction as the follower arm. The removable plate assembly has a lower plate and an upper plate with mating sample surfaces on which test fluid is placed. The lower plate fits into a lower jaw of the plate fixture that is attached to the instrument base. The upper plate fits into an upper jaw of the plate fixture attached to the free end of the spring. A fluid is placed on the lower sample surface. The cam rotates, pushing the follower arm up, causing the spring to pivot down, and pressing the sample surfaces together.

Abstract: A pneumatic control head for controlling the supply of a product into a container via a filling head. A manifold has a pilot air duct. A start valve outputs main air to the pilot air duct when actuated by a mechanical switch. A pilot valve activates a cylinder using the main air in response to air pressure in the pilot air duct. A filling head source valve routs either sensing air or blow down air to a filling head output in response to the condition of a blow down valve actuated by a mechanical switch. An overpressure valve exhausts the pilot air duct in response to the sensing air having a pressure higher than normal. The switches each includes a ball bearing captured by a collar. An external cam pushes the ball bearing into the collar, causing the ball bearing to actuate the respective valve. Duct connections to valves are implemented by a single machined plate with a depression that overlaps the duct aperture and valve opening.

Abstract: A sample surface component for an instrument the measures viscosity and viscoelasticity. The instrument has a cam, a follower arm, a flat spring, a plate fixture, and a removable plate assembly. The cam is a rotating circular disk with a spiral slot. A cam follower on the follower arm resides in the spiral slot so that the follower arm pivots about its fixed end as the cam rotates. The spring is attached to and collinear with the fixed end of the follower arm so that the spring pivots in the opposite direction as the follower arm. The sample surface component include a removable plate assembly with a lower plate and an upper plate with mating sample surfaces on which test fluid is placed. The lower plate fits into a lower jaw of the plate fixture that is attached to the instrument base. The upper plate fits into an upper jaw of the plate fixture attached to the free end of the spring. A fluid is placed on the lower sample surface.

Abstract: A device and method for simplifying, organizing, and reducing medication error, and enhancing therapeutic compliance with the combined use of liquid medications for continuous nebulization for treating respiratory disorders comprising at least two separate liquids for continuously nebulized delivery to the respiratory tract, indicia for distinguishing the liquids, instructions for coordination of the liquids use together, a unifying container, and optionally, a spirometer. The method comprises providing the liquids, indicia, and instructions in the unified container, dispensing the prescribed amount of the liquids into the nebulization device, and administering the liquids according to the instructions.

Abstract: A foldable beach chair with an audio player integrated into the armrest. A compact disk player is hinged at the bottom to open outwardly from the stationary section on the armrest. When closed, the CD player forms a seal that substantially protects the CD from the beach environment. A mechanical clasp holds the CD player closed when the CD is playing. The other armrest has a covered storage compartment and, optionally, a drink holder. Optionally, the chair has a large pouch composed of a mesh material. Optionally, the chair has as set of small pouches. Optionally, the chair has a carrying strap.

Abstract: A gutter cleaner having a head and a handle. The head is tubular and has a bend and a nozzle. The bend curves in two orthogonal planes, through an angle of 135° to 195° in one plane and through an angle of 15° to 60° in the other plane. The nozzle has an egress with one dimension being narrower than the other. The head and handle slidably fitting together and are secured to fix their relative positions. The lower end of the handle is adapted to attach to a vacuum source. The handle has a textured surface for gripping and eyelets for removably attaching a shoulder strap. Optionally, the handle has two sections that are slidably fitted together and that can be secured relative to each other.