Abstract: A hair container utilizing a sheath for enclosing strands of hair which extend into the sheath. The sheath includes a flexible wall portion which forms a chamber having an opening to the same in order to permit the strands of hair to extend into the sheath. A clamp is connected to the flexible wall portion of the sheath and is capable of holding the strands of hair to prevent relative movement between the flexible wall portion of the sheath and the strands of hair. The sheath itself is drawn around the strands of hair by a drawstring formed in the sheath flexible wall portion.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus particularly designed for handling produce items with a calyx and including a vacuum mechanism for grasping the produce item by the calyx for orientation and transportation of the item and a coring implement for removal of the calyx from a properly oriented produce item, the processing apparatus being designed to perform grasping and coring operations at separate stations or is a single operation.

Abstract: A mobile phone system with a mobile phone having internal accounting capabilities for real time call debiting to account for the billing parameters of a mobile phone unit that is operated in a multi zone communication network with a complex rate structure, the mobile phone unit having an internal processor with accessible internal memory for storing the accounting program and call data for each call, a clock and circuit means for activating and deactivating the phone, the accounting program including an updatable rate table and a complex billing algorithm for calculating the account status on the fly including multiple rate structure factors such as long distance calls, international calls with country independent local charges, charges for roaming per day and/or roaming per minute, and call surcharges, where the account status of the mobile phone is calculated in real time for decrementing a debit account or calculating an account charge on demand, the mobile debit phone having a signal for alerting the user

Abstract: An abrading device for use in surgery such as cataract removal utilizing an element having a resilient body. The element includes an outer surface capable of abrading cellular material from a membrane without damage to the membrane. The element is connected to a guiding implement which may also serve as an irrigator for transporting the abraded material from the eye and for maintaining the shape and integrity of the eye capsule.

Abstract: A composite web structure utilizing a thin first layer of material having a plurality of structural fibers arranged to lie essentially in a unidirectional orientation. A thin second layer of material is positioned adjacent the first layer and includes a plurality of structural fibers. First and second layers are impregnated with a matrix material for binding fibers within the first and second layers and for binding the first and second layers together. The web may be formed into a composite structure such as a honeycomb core for fabrication into a panel.

Abstract: A mechanism for a speaker assembly utilizing a brace for confining a speaker cone in a particular orientation. The brace is provided with at least first and second feet which append therefrom. At least one of the feet is fastened to a permanent magnet associated with the cone to isolate vibrations originating in the permanent magnet. In this regard, a plate is employed in conjunction with an elastomeric member such that the elastomeric member is interposed the foot and the plate. The elastomeric member is held to the plate and the first foot. The elastomeric member is sized to create a bias for movement of the brace only in a shear direction relative to the plate and the first foot. A fastener is also employed to support the first and second feet to the permanent magnet at predetermined distances from the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A polymeric resin for the preparation of peptides utilizing a polymeric matrix such as polystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer. A vanillyl alcohol (HMBA), Trityl alcohol, or Trityl Amine group is attached to the polymeric carrier for use in the building of polypeptides by solid phase peptide synthesis employing the Fmoc protecting strategy.

Abstract: A line retraction and extension mechanism utilizing a housing having a chamber which possesses a predetermined dimension. The housing includes an entrance which leads to the chamber within. An elastomeric line is capable of passing into the chamber through the chamber entrance. A first end portion of the elastomeric line extends outwardly from the chamber while a second end portion of the elastomeric line is fixed relative to the chamber dimension. Internal structural elements in the chamber extend or store the elastomeric line to a predetermined degree to allow a large separation between the first end portion of the line and the housing when tension is applied between the housing and the first end portion of the line.

Abstract: A child car seat device utilizing a platform for contacting the vehicle seat. The platform includes a front portion and a rear portion. A backrest is connected to the platform rear portion while a body projects from the front portion of the platform. The projecting body includes a shaft extending into contact with the platform. An ornamental terminus is fixed to the shaft by a suitable fastener. The connected ornamental terminus permits the legs of the child to straddle the same while sitting on the platform.

Abstract: A litter box for containing animal litter for household cats, the litter box including a substantially rectangular, deep container and a cover frame for the top of the container, the cover frame having a flat outer rim, an inner lip and an inwardly and downwardly sloping bevel interconnecting the outer rim and inner lip, the inner lip defining a rectangular opening for entry and egress of the cat, the lip having a rounded protective bead, the cover frame being designed to prevent scatter of litter with the concave frame aiding in returning tracked litter to the container.

Abstract: A locking mechanism for a two-wheeled motorcycle having a center stand; the locking mechanism in one embodiment including a key lock with a cylinder that is connected to a cam that displaces a locking pin to engage a pivotal sleeve that connects the center stand to the frame of the motorcycle such that when the lock is engaged, the pin extends to an aligned hole on the center stand when the center stand is displaced to its operable position. When the center stand is locked, the motorcycle cannot be moved. An embodiment includes a bracket unit for securement to a leg of the stand, having a pivotal detent arm and a lock for locking the detent arm in a locked position.

Abstract: A paving apparatus utilizing surface paving components which are stored in a plurality of containers. The containers are supported on a movable platform which may be motivated by a motor carried on the platform. The platform includes a first end having the motor and a second end portion which provides an operator stand. Containers are supported on the platform to hold each of the plurality of surface paving components which are mixed in a holding tank and sent to a conveyor on the movable platform. A control is located at the operator stand to determine the speed and to steer the movable platform. Mixing of paving components and the spreading of the same on a surface are also controlled at the operator stand.

Abstract: A ventilation structure for a shoe having a sole portion and a connected upper portion utilizing an aperture or slit that is formed through the upper portion of the shoe. The aperture extends along a dimension of the upper portion of the shoe and is overlain with a mesh layer connected to the upper portion of the shoe. A closure, such as a zipper, shuts at least a portion of the aperture and blocks at least a portion of the mesh layer from passage of air from the exterior to the interior of the shoe. The toe portion of the shoe may be further provided with an opening overlain with mesh that is openable or closable with a flap.

Abstract: A video display system utilizing a video source and an image intensifier having a first optically transparent body including first and second surfaces. The first surface receives the video image while the second surface includes a layer of photocathode material. A second optically transparent body having first and second surfaces is placed opposite the first optically transparent body and spaced therefrom, A vacuum chamber is formed between the second surface of the first optically transparent body and the first surface of the second optically transparent body. A fluorescing layer is positioned on said first surface of the second optically transparent body. A source of electrical power applies a voltage potential between said photocathode layer and said fluorescing layer. The intensified video image exits the second surface of the second optically transparent body for viewing.

Abstract: A system for packaging at least a pair of containers each having an openable portion such as a flip top. A first holder is utilized with respect to the first container and includes a first member for at least partially surrounding the first container openable portion. A second holder is also provided and includes a second member for at least partially surrounding the second container openable portion. The first and second holders are connected to one another in a separably sealing manner to form an abutment between the openable portions of the first and second containers. A handle extends from the connected first and second holders.

Abstract: A self-priming pump system including a vacuum priming unit and a liquid pumping unit, the pumping unit having an engine driven centrifugal pump with an intake conduit, the priming unit having a vacuum column with an internal well chamber and a vacuum chamber above the well chamber with an interconnecting gas relief passage, the well chamber having liquid level sensors to detect the water level in the well chamber and activate a vacuum control valve connecting a vacuum pump to the vacuum chamber when the water level in the well chamber falls below a predetermined level, the control valve switching to seal the vacuum chamber and connect the vacuum pump to atmosphere when a predetermined level of water is detected in the well chamber.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a pollution control system with a catalytic converter using a two-phase fuel system in which a small supply of flammable gaseous fuel is used for ignition and initial start-up of the engine. As the engine is warmed up and the catalytic converter is heated, the gaseous fuel is phased out and the liquid fuel is phased in.

Abstract: A universal internal combustion engine that is electronically and reversibly convertible from four stroke operation to two stroke operation, the engine having intake and exhaust valves with an electro-hydraulic actuator system for actuating the valves in accordance with electronic control signals from an electronic control module, the electro-hydraulic actuator system having an electronic actuator for each valve coupled to a slide valve for discrete supply of a pressurized hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic piston for each valve, the electronic control module having a program for independent activation of each electronic actuator for select operation of each intake and exhaust valve at any time during the operating cycle.

Abstract: A safety plug for an electrical cord, the plug having electrically conductive prongs with a pair of protective retractable sheaths of a dielectric material encasing the prongs, with preferably a separate spring biassing each prong to an extended position, the sheaths being retracted on plugging the safety plug into a conventional electrical socket.