Abstract: A breastpump is provided with a universal suction hood base that can be used with a set of different shields. An improved shield is further disclosed which is more flexible and conforms more readily to the breast, and also provides massage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for retaining a length of fiber optic cable to a circuit board includes a body portion. The body portion of the apparatus includes at least a pair of spaced legs extending from the body portion, each of the legs is adapted to be received in a mounting opening formed in the PC board. Each of the spaced legs includes a foot portion adapted for securing the body to the circuit board and at least a pair of spaced arms extend from the body portion defining a slot between the arm and the body portion for receiving and retaining a portion of the length of fiber optic cable. The arms are spaced a distance from each other for retaining the fiber optic cable in an arc having a radius greater than a minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A wood burner includes a wrapper. A firebox is positioned in the wrapper that defines a combustion chamber. An air inlet is placed in communication with an external air supply. The air inlet includes a conduit to conduct the external air to the combustion chamber and a second conduit. A manifold is positioned above the firebox. The manifold is in communication with the second conduit, and includes one or more manifold chambers for permitting the external air received thereby to become heated. A plurality of air tubes connect to the manifold to receive the heated external air from the manifold, each plurality of air tubes including a plurality of apertures to direct the heated external air into the combustion chamber adjacent an upper inner surface of the firebox.

Abstract: A breastpump carrier in the form of a backpack. The breastpump backpack has a horizontal shelf dividing the interior of the breastpump carrier into lower and upper storage areas. The lower storage area is accessible through an exterior side of the backpack with a pumping mechanism mounted therein.

Abstract: A prophylactic device for protecting the diaphragm of a pump, such as a diaphragm pump for a breastpump, from fluid (air/milk) is disclosed. A removably mounted flexible cover is located between the shell of the pump and the movable diaphragm membrane within the shell which isolates the membrane from fluid. The cover is removable for at least one of cleaning and disposal. The flexible membrane has a circumferential rim upon which the cover is received over the rim. The shell has an internal opening defined therein sized to encompass the rim with the cover mounted on the rim in a substantially airtight fit. The cover thereby forms a gasket between the rim and shell.

Abstract: A controller for a breastpump, such as a rotary knob, which is used to simultaneously adjust the suction level as well as rate within a sequence, is disclosed. The suction “force” and “speed” are tied together in an inverse relationship. As the suction force (vacuum) is increased, for example, the rate (cycle) is decreased; as the vacuum is decreased, the cycle increases.

Abstract: An improved breastshield for breastpumps has a tubular extension with a non-circular internal contour such as an oval, polygonal or fluted shape, among others. In another aspect of the invention, the non-circular contour is provided in the main breast-receiving part of the breastshield. Surface features, such as protuberances, are further provided for the breastshield which yield a non-smooth tactile feel to the breastshield.

Abstract: A method and system designed to augment, rather than replace, the work habits of its users. These work habits include practices such as drawing on Post-it™ notes using a symbolic language. The system observes and understands the language used on the Post-it notes and the system assigns meaning simultaneously to objects in both the physical and virtual worlds. Since the data is preserved in physical form, the physical documents serve as a back-up in the case of electronic system failure. With the present invention users can rollout a primary paper document such as a map, register it, and place secondary physical documents on the map. The secondary physical documents can be moved from one place to another on the primary document. Once an object is augmented, users can modify the meaning represented by it, ask questions about that representation, view it in virtual reality, or give directions to it, all with speech and gestures.

Abstract: Inner and outer shield parts of a breastshield are joined to form an enclosure defining a pressurizable chamber. The inner shield part has at least a portion thereof movable relative to the outer shield part when the chamber is subject to a negative or a positive pressure. A first pressure port is in communication respectively with the chamber for connection with a fluid pressure source of a first pressure. A second pressure port is in communication with the interior for connection with a pressure source of a second pressure. The breastshield is thus capable of being subjected to two different pressures, such as a positive pressure to move (expand) the chamber into the interior, so as to compress or massage the nipple/breast, and a negative pressure in the interior to draw the nipple/breast further therein for the expression of milk. The pressures can be independently controlled, and may furthermore alternate being negative and positive through the same pressure port.

Abstract: A line card connectable to a backplane connector includes a connector. The connector includes connector terminals, a subset of which are connected to an insertion monitoring circuit. The insertion monitoring circuit includes a power conductor connected to a first terminal of the subset. One or more pull up resistors are connected to the power conductor. One or more sense lines are connected to one or more second terminals of the subset. The first terminal is positioned on the card so as to be connectable to the backplane connector before the one or more second terminals. An insertion detection device is provided for detecting an insertion of the card. A state device is connected to the insertion detection device for calculating a primary insertion count from the detection of the insertion and a non-volatile memory device is connected to the state device for storing the primary insertion count.

Abstract: An improved breast pump assembly has a foot drive to which an otherwise manually operated vacuum pump of a breast pump can be readily and releasably attached to operate the vacuum pump by the foot of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for deterring or hindering any operation or dispensing of fluid through one or more taps by an unauthorized user. The apparatus is a tap block, the tap block including a block wall having a block exterior surface and a block interior surface, the block interior surface defining a nozzle receiving cavity sized and shaped relative to the nozzle exterior surface such that at least a portion of the nozzle adjacent to the nozzle outlet may be received therein, the block wall including a nozzle receiving aperture opening from the block exterior surface through the block wall to the nozzle receiving cavity, the nozzle receiving aperture opening sized and shaped relative to the nozzle exterior surface such that at least the nozzle portion insertable into the nozzle receiving cavity may be received therethrough; and a securing device, the securing device is capable of maintaining said position of the tap block relative to the tap nozzle.

Abstract: A stylus apparatus and method includes a manually operable lightpipe for transmitting light. The manually operable lightpipe includes a body portion for transmitting the light, the body portion having an outer surface. The manually operable lightpipe further including a receiving end portion for receiving the light, and a display end portion for displaying the light. A protective cover layer is positioned over outer surface of the body portion to direct the light from the receiving end portion to the display end portion and to prevent the light from exiting the body portion through the outer surface of the body portion.

Abstract: A telephone answering apparatus for confirming an acoustic command signal includes a controller operatively connected to an acoustic signal detector and to an acoustic signal generator. The controller initiates the transmission of an acoustic response signal to a remote user in response to the detection of an acoustic command signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for retaining a length of fiber optic cable to a circuit board includes a body portion. The body portion of the apparatus includes at least a pair of spaced legs extending from the body portion, each of the legs is adapted to be received in a mounting opening formed in the PC board. Each of the spaced legs includes a foot portion adapted for securing the body to the circuit board and at least a pair of spaced arms extend from the body portion defining a slot between the arm and the body portion for receiving and retaining a portion of the length of fiber optic cable. The arms are spaced a distance from each other for retaining the fiber optic cable in an arc having a radius greater than a minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cable.

Abstract: A game is comprised of a plurality of stages. Each operation of the game begins with the operation of a first stage. Depending on the outcome of the first stage the game may be over, or there may be an operation of a second stage. Depending on the outcome of the second stage, the game may be over or there may be an operation of another stage. This sequence continues until the game ends or until the final (nth) stage has been operated, at which time the game ends. Wagers are made on successive stages of the multi-stage game. Each stage of the game may typically have its own paytable or payout scheme, and its own expected return. A bet made on a stage of the game which is not played is lost in the preferred form of the invention. One embodiment is a three stage, multi-line, multi-coin video slot machine. The same game format (slots) with the same paytable is operated on three stages, with increasing payout multipliers at each stage providing an increasing amount to win at the higher stages.

Abstract: An apparatus for irradiation of a fluid with UV light includes a tubular body consisting of UV-permeable material. The body includes a fluid chamber and openings for passage of fluid. A UV source is provided to subject the chamber to the UV light. A wiper is centrally supported in the body to clean the inner surface of the body. Light baffles define an irradiated section of the chamber to prevent light penetration beyond the irradiated section while permitting the fluid to flow through. The apparatus is provided as a component in a housing having a modular design. The modules include a back cover for surface mounting. The body is mounted to the back cover. An inner cover is attached to the back cover. The inner cover includes the UV source and modular electronics. A front cover is attached to the inner and back cover.

Abstract: A shepherd hook is provided with a decorative outer cladding, preferably copper tube. The end of the outer decorative tubing is flattened and upturned to hold a decorative hanging basket or other decoration from an upturned lip.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for expressing and collecting mother's milk from a donor utilizing an adapted breastpump assembly. The method includes providing a breastpump assembly having a flexible membrane engaged upon a breast shield of the breastpump assembly. The breast shield is adapted for engagement with a donor's breast to facilitate the expression of mother's milk therefrom. A temporary fluid reservoir is established between the flexible membrane and a portion of the breast shield, the temporary fluid reservoir is provided to initially collect mother's milk upon expression from the donor's breast. This configuration enables the donor to assume a reclined position during the expression process and at least initially collect expressed mother's milk in the temporary fluid reservoir. Supplementarily, a bypass assembly maybe provided for conveying mother's milk from the temporary fluid reservoir to a collection receptacle.

Abstract: A lifting system for hoisting heavy pre-cast panels includes an anchor-lifting device permanently secured within a connection recess formed in the panel, and a connecting apparatus that attaches to the anchor-lifting device. The anchor-lifting device presents a laterally disposed connection pin for attachment to a pair of laterally spaced lifting hooks that form the connecting apparatus.