Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for processing recyclable asphalt material. A drum has a polygonal cross-sectional configuration providing a plurality of substantially flat wall sides. Tubular breaker members within the drum are juxtaposed with corresponding flat wall sides. The relative location of the breaker members and the flat wall sides effects a cascading of recyclable asphalt material over the breaker members and between the breaker members and the flat wall sides as the drum is rotated so that recyclable asphalt material is tumbled within the drum, thereby simultaneously reducing the size of relatively large pieces to aggregate-sized pieces and heating the mass containing the desired aggregate-sized pieces for delivery of the heated mass from the drum.

Abstract: A modular apparatus displays and dispenses merchandise at first and second dispensing locations placed at plural dispensing tiers at a point-of-purchase adjacent a display shelf. A first pusher-track assembly extends along a first path of travel of first serially arranged packages, and dividers are spaced apart to straddle the first path of travel and the first serially arranged packages. A second pusher-track assembly is secured to each of the dividers, elevated altitudinally above the first pusher-track assembly, and extends along a second path of travel of second serially arranged packages. A securing arrangement integrates the second pusher-track assembly with the dividers within the apparatus, and a stabilizing arrangement stabilizes the dividers against inadvertent movements relative to the display shelf to complete a stable apparatus. Multiple dividers and counterpart pusher-track assemblies enable the modular apparatus to provide any selected number of display and dispensing bays.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for orally administering to a recipient a medication and a flavor, in a liquid form, for rendering the medication more palatable to the recipient. First and second liquid dispensers are operated manually, independent of one another, either simultaneously or in a selected sequence, and are arranged to advance the medication and the flavor into a conduit for passage through a common outlet to an administering head placed in the recipient's mouth so as to administer the medication and the flavor to the recipient's mouth. The apparatus includes a liquefying device which enables the apparatus to be used for the administration of a medication initially supplied in a non-liquid form.

Abstract: A compact, collapsible, self-erecting stand and a method of making the stand are disclosed. The stand is constructed for placement upon a supporting substrate to prop a hand-held electronic device to be placed on the supporting substrate and includes an elongate strip of material having resiliently flexible characteristics biasing the strip toward a substantially flat configuration. A plurality of substantially rigid plates are affixed to the strip and located along the strip to establish a corresponding plurality of panels.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for conducting a non-invasive analysis of a bodily fluid to determine the presence and level of a certain constituent carried by the bodily fluid. An indicator formulation of the device changes color in response to exposure to the constituent to provide a visible indication of the presence and level of the constituent carried by the bodily fluid. A carrier substrate of the device is constructed of a material having voids providing a high void volume within the substrate. The device is made by applying a chromagen to the carrier substrate to create a chromagen-laden carrier member. Then, a selected reagent having a particular constituent-specific formulation is applied to the chromagen-laden member. The selected reagent then combines with the chromagen, thereby establishing the indicator formulation within the carrier substrate in place for reception of a sample of the bodily fluid.

Abstract: A repository in the form of a cart, and a method for docking a plurality of portable computers in storage within the cart, are disclosed. The cart has an opening at the top of the cart and each computer is placed within a docking bay, connected electrically to an electrical connector at the docking bay. Each docking bay has an entrance at an upper level and a support member for the computer at a lower level located at a predetermined vertical distance from the upper level. The orientation of the docking bays, and the predetermined vertical distance are such that upon movement of a computer toward a fully seated position within a docking bay, the computer is biased by gravity toward and into retention in the fully seated position and is maintained by gravity assistance in such retention during transport and storage in the cart, connected to the electrical connector at the docking bay.

Abstract: Recycled asphalt product is heated within an indirectly heated recycled asphalt product heater by passing heated gases through heat exchange members within a drum while the recycled asphalt product is moved through the drum from one end to the other end of the drum. The heat exchange members provide conduits for the heated gases, the conduits extending from an inlet adjacent a source of heated gases to an outlet communicating with an exhaust, each conduit following a looped path and having two or more segments each with a longitudinal length extending from adjacent one end of the drum to adjacent the other end of the drum. The segments are arranged serially in a serpentine configuration, are generally parallel to one another, and are spaced apart radially within the interior of the drum.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing data and supplying stored data comprising a main housing containing control circuitry for controlling signals to a plurality of disk drives. The main housing has a plurality of mounting mechanisms each configured to support a unit of a first type. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of cables each having a first connector for connecting to a unit of the first type for providing signals from the control circuitry. The apparatus has a first unit, of a first type, having a plurality of second connectors each connected to a disk drive and a fan providing a flow of air for cooling the disk drives and the control circuitry. The first unit is connected to a first one of the cables and mounted in a first one of the mounting mechanisms such that the first unit is mounted to slide into the main housing. The apparatus also has a second unit, of a second type, supported by a second one of the mounting mechanisms and mounted to slide into the main housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of a patient suffering from major depressive disorder by administering to the patient an effective amount of a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist and to methods for establishing the optimal treatment regimen.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus and method mixes constituents of a feedstock in a vessel, utilizing a mixing blade assembly rotated within the vessel in forward and reverse directions. The feedstock engages walls of the vessel, and scraper blades are carried by the mixing blade assembly to scrape feedstock from the walls of the vessel and direct scraped feedstock to feedstock being circulated within the vessel during rotation of the mixing blade assembly in either the forward direction or the reverse direction. The scraper blades each include scraper edges and are coupled to the mixing blade assembly for pivotal movement in response to engagement with feedstock during mixing, so as to juxtapose one or the other of opposite scraper edges of each scraper blade with the vessel wall for scraping feedstock during rotation of the mixing blade assembly in both the forward and reverse directions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus deliver consecutive foil leaves for use by a hair stylist during the course of a hair styling procedure. Each leaf is of a selected length severed from a supply of foil of indeterminate length, with a unitary tab folded along a fold line extending across the leaf, adjacent a leading edge of the leaf. The foil preferably is drawn from a roll of foil and is advanced along a feed path to a delivery station, and a cutter and folder are moved across the feed path to sever the leaf from the indeterminate length of foil and establish the tab adjacent the leading edge of the leaf. In the preferred arrangement, the cutter and the folder are moved simultaneously along respective arcuate paths by pivotal movement about a common pivotal axis.

Abstract: An aquarium curtain is selectively deployed and placed over transparent walls of an aquarium to block the entry of ambient light from outside the aquarium, thereby inhibiting the growth of algae in the aquarium. The aquarium curtain includes a sheet of substantially opaque flexibly foldable material and a frame having frame members movable relative to one-another between a collapsed configuration in which the aquarium curtain is compact for handling and storage, and an erect configuration, in which the aquarium curtain is fastened in place over the aquarium to block entry into the aquarium of ambient light from outside the aquarium.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing data and supplying stored data. The apparatus comprises a support unit having a plurality of connectors for connecting to a plurality of data storage elements, and a plurality of data storage elements. Each data storage element is connected to one of the connectors. The apparatus also comprises a cable having a first end connected to the support unit and a second end connected to a main part. The main part defining a first space containing a portion of the cable, and a second space for containing the support unit. The support unit is movable between (i) a first position providing access to the data storage elements and (ii) a second position in which the data storage elements are located within the second space. A guide means is configured to cause the cable to develop at least two loops within the first space while the support unit is moved to the second position.

Abstract: An improvement in a gravity-feed display and dispensing apparatus and method in which rolling articles are advanced by gravity along an upper chute from a loading location to a transition chute where the rolling articles are transferred to a lower chute located vertically below the upper chute, with a concomitant reversal of the direction of travel of the rolling articles, and then along the lower chute to a dispensing location. A plurality of retarding members are placed in position serially along the transition chute to engage a rolling article and bump the rolling article so as to gradually retard the speed of movement of the rolling article as the article traverses the transition chute, thereby limiting the magnitude of forces generated by the reversal of the direction of movement of the rolling article as the rolling article traverses the transition chute and avoiding excessive speed of movement of the rolling article upon arrival of the rolling article adjacent the dispensing location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-invasive analysis of saliva includes a user friendly lolli-pop like apparatus that is self contained and provides the user with a method to obtain saliva by sucking or licking on the pop head, the saliva activates a color change reaction on the apparatus that results in a color visual response that can be compared to a color coded alphanumeric gauge for analysis in monitoring health conditions and concerns.

Abstract: A fitting and a method for utilizing one or more of such fittings are described for securing supplemental hair to a person's head, along the outer surface of the person's scalp, to create an enhanced, natural appearance independent of the population and location of any natural hair on the person's head. Each fitting includes a base and a longitudinal bridge rising from the base to establish an eye providing a lateral path beneath the bridge. Each base is embedded beneath the outer surface of the person's scalp to secure the corresponding fitting at a selected strategic location on the person's head with the bridge projecting from the outer surface to provide a corresponding attachment site. Supplemental hair is juxtaposed with and secured to each bridge with a corresponding ligature passed through the eye of each corresponding bridge.

Abstract: A sealing device and method are disclosed for use in connection with a switch mounted upon a panel by a panel nut engaged with a threaded bushing projecting from the panel. A boot member of a resiliently flexible elastomeric material is placed over the switch and is secured by a mounting nut to the threaded bushing to establish a seal. An annular bearing member is interposed between the terminal end of the threaded bushing and a juxtaposed portion of the boot member so as to protect the juxtaposed portion from damage that might otherwise occur as a result of any direct contact between the terminal end of the threaded bushing and the juxtaposed portion of the boot member.

Abstract: A blade, such as the blade of a precision shear, having a cutting angle which changes progressively along the length of the blade through a predetermined angular measure is sharpened by coupling the blade with an articulated arm assembly through a drive mechanism which rotates the blade about a longitudinal direction in response to movement of the blade along the longitudinal direction, as the blade is drawn across a sharpening surface. The drive mechanism includes a cam and follower for rotating the blade through an angular displacement corresponding to the predetermined angular measure of the change in the cutting angle so as to preserve the changing cutting angle. The drive mechanism is selectively uncoupled to permit free manual rotation of the blade as the blade is drawn across the sharpening surface for finishing the blade subsequent to the sharpening operation. The drive mechanism accommodates blades of both right-handed shears and left-handed shears.

Abstract: An improvement in a trialing system and method for use in connection with the implant of a prosthetic joint component having a first part for engaging bone at an implant site to secure the component at the implant site, and a second part for enabling articulation of the prosthetic joint. A trial first member corresponds to the first part of the component, a trial second member corresponds to the second part of the component, and an offset adapter facilitates selective coupling and uncoupling of the trial first member and the trial second member with the trial second member offset from the trial first member and placed at a selected angular orientation relative to the offset adapter.