Abstract: The invention comprises a disposable beverage cup that comprises a ledge between the cup's rim and the grasping portion of the cup that is commonly held in the user's hand. The ledge, which comprises a curb, a horizontal plane, and one or more indentations, acts as a barrier between the user's hand and other objects, preventing a lid that has been press fit onto the cup's rim from being dislodged. In order to remove the lid, the user must insert a finger and/or thumb into the indentation(s) and press upward on the lid. The cup has a contour between the ledge and the grasping portion with ergonomic features to increase the user's comfort in handling the cup.

Abstract: The present invention is a new class of fluorescent sensor with unprecedented sensitivity, selectivity and synthetic efficiency for the identification and qualitative and quantitative detection of transition metal ions. The chemosensing properties are based on an internal charge transfer mechanism or photo-induced electron transfer and are effective in vitro. The chemosensor comprises one or more electron donating dipyrrin functionalities linked to an electron withdrawing functionality. The chemosensor forms a stable transition metal complex through internal charge transfer between the electron donating functionality and the target transition metal, which results in measurable fluorescence. Specific examples for sensing zinc and copper ions are described.

Abstract: The chemical composition and method of the invention enable characterization of microscopic defects in membranes such as pinholes, cracks or fissures. The present invention, however, can be used to characterize defects on different types of porous and non-porous membranes used for diverse applications in various industries. It uses brightly fluorescing silica or silsesquioxane spheres prepared with pre-determined definitive and uniform sizes (15 nm-50 microns). The spheres' uniform, controlled size allows them to be used to characterize defects or holes in membranes based on a size exclusion mechanism. The spheres used are engineered to glow brightly when exposed to ultraviolet light in order to allow visual or highly sensitive fluorescence spectroscopy or microscopy to characterize the passage of the particles through defects or holes in a membrane and even identify where the defect is located.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a single dose, one time use, self-destruction, auto-disabling safety syringe with an injection molded barrel. The invention successfully addresses and solves the problems of the prior art by combining the use of COC injection molding with the advantages presented by the ampoule cartridge and the traditional safety syringe all integrated into a single device. A pre-filled ampoule or barrel is molded with minimal draft enabling the syringe's piston plunger to be partially self-lubricated by the syringe's contents. The addition of an internal auto disabling coupler to the piston plunger allows the device to be used only a single time. In addition, the present invention's structure is such that its safety sleeve necessarily moves forward to cover the syringe's needle after use. The present invention's elements, as combined, solve the biocompatibility and safety problems of the prior art and provide an exact dose, prefilled, single time use, cartridge safety syringe.

Abstract: The present invention discloses and claims a multifunctional beverage cup that can be used to contain and dispense beverages and to store small items. The cup of the present invention comprises a cup body, a lid means and a storage bin which engages a recess in the cup body. The lid means comprises a hinged port cover, which both covers the drinking port in the lid means and comprises a bottle opening means. The cup body comprises a recess in its exterior surface which acts as a storage compartment when the storage bin is engaged to the recess.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a beverage cup that comprises a cup body, and a lid. The lid comprises a hinged plug insert, which covers the drinking port in the lid, a window and a counter means. The counter means comprises a disc that protrudes through the outer circumference of the lid in such a way that the user can rotate the disc. The disc is printed with symbols or numbers, one of which is visible at a time through the window in the lid. Different symbols or numbers on the disc are visible through the window as the disc is rotated.

Abstract: The present invention represents a breakthrough in advertisement tools. The liquid sign uses a system of chambers and electrically powered pumps to produce a dynamic and visually appealing advertising sign. The advertising sign of the invention uses a liquid in motion contained in a front chamber of the sign to highlight the color and other visual characteristics of a beverage or any liquid product being advertised. The liquid in motion highlights and showcases any given characteristic of a product being advertised, including bubble or foam producing capacity, color, brightness, or a logo or symbol placed on the background of the liquid in motion. It also provides for a visually attractive, electrically or battery powered and affordable advertising tool which can be used indoors or outdoors in many different settings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tri-surface table tennis table and method of use, the tennis table comprising a configuration achieved placing three regulation tennis table surfaces next to each other to form a symmetrical arrangement, so that two of each surface's vertexes touch another surface's vertex, with each two touching vertexes forming a 120° angle. The invention also comprises a triangular surface that fits in the hole created in the center of the tri-surface configuration to form a smooth surface holding the three tennis table surfaces together, and a trilateral net structure further comprising three pieces of net, each piece of net having an inner end and an outer end, wherein the three inner ends are attached to one another and centered on the tri-surface table tennis table and the outer ends are one hundred twenty degrees apart, running to the three touching vertexes of the three playing surfaces.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein generally concerns a construction toy American Football board-type game arrangement assembled using construction toy bricks and played using a series of rules based on conventional American Football. The game of the invention comprises construction toy bricks and pieces of numerous colors and sizes which allows the user(s) of the invention to assemble a miniature American Football stadium in a plurality of dimensions and field color combinations. The playing surface is designed to allow placement of construction toy pieces such as bases, figures and goal posts. A stadium structure built according to an instruction manual and comprises bleachers, a sky box, an announcer's box and a score box can be placed adjacent to the game board.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved arrow holder that facilitates the arrow/bow combination user's ability to carry a nocked arrow safely on the bow by pre-positioning the arrow for a quicker shot while keeping the arrow safely away from the user's body. The device of this invention comprises a single piece device made of neoprene rubber or other adequate material with a self-adhesive backing. The device of this invention not only permits the hunter to carry the arrow safely, in a semi-cocked position, but is also permits the hunter to get full draw on the bow in three (3) short, simple and efficient steps. The hunter requires less movement to operate the bow/arrow combination while never losing eye contact with his or her target.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein generally concerns a lid for disposable or reusable beverage containers which facilitates access to the contents for addition of condiment and which enhances the users sensory perception of the state of such contents, without removal of the lid. The lid of the invention combines various sensory elements to simultaneously enhance the user's sensory responses of taste, smell, touch and sight during drinking with the beverage cup lid in place. The sensory elements comprise openings, transparent materials, shape and media, through which liquid and vapor can pass, and through which heat can, conduct or convect. In addition to the elements already described, the beverage cup lid of the invention comprises a physical element that allows the addition and stirring of condiments while the lid is fully installed on the cup. The invention disclosed herein integrates multiple elements of a press and lock on a beverage cup lid.

Abstract: The invention concerns a unitized access floor system, a method to install it, and automatized leveling tools. The access floor comprises an assembly of modular stringer frames joined to form a layout. Pedestals for vertical leveling of the modular stringer frame are attached to the stringer frame, or can be hinged to the stringer frame during manufacture, and can fold down from within the stringer frame to facilitate stacking, packaging and shipping from the factory. The primary automatized leveling tool involves a rotating driving female socket coinciding with the layout of the modular stringer frame, matting with the leveling pedestals. The automatized tool has a central motor with variable speeds and reversible independent gear drives or multiple motors. Modular stringer frames are leveled adjacent to each other forming a matrix comprising modular stringer frames which receive floor panels interlocking adjacent stringer frames.