Abstract: A composition for relieving stress, anxiety, grief, and depression includes GABA (gamma amino butyric acid), glutamine, glycine, magnesium, passion flower, primula officinalis, and vitamin B-6.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and controlling the level of ice in an ice storage container includes an emitter mounted within the ice storage container and a detector mounted directly opposite from the emitter. A pulse circuit drives the emitter such that it outputs a pulse train that triggers the detector. A receiver circuit outputs a signal responsive to the detection of the pulse train by the detector. A controller activates an ice maker responsive to the output of the receiver circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting irregularities in a ferrous pipe includes a magnetizing coil for inducing a magnetic field in the ferrous pipe. Inspection shoes measure changes in the induced magnetic field and produce signals representative of those changes. An analog-to-digital converter digitizes the measured signals representing the changes in the induced magnetic field. A processor processes the signals according to frequency to classify the signals by type of irregularity in the ferrous pipe. A screen and/or printer displays the frequency processed signals according to type of irregularity in the ferrous pipe.

Abstract: A grade stake driver includes a frame for supporting a hammer and a grade stake under the hammer. A shuttle secured to the hammer movably mounts onto the frame to connect the hammer to the frame. A hoist secured to the shuttle mounts onto the frame to permit the raising and lowering of the hammer. A receiver mounted on the frame outputs a control signal in response to a transmitted signal. A switch mounted on the frame transforms the control signal into an on/off signal. A relay mounted on the frame connects the hammer to a power source in response to the on/off signal, thereby effecting the driving of the grade stake.

Abstract: A component configuration for enhancing the serviceability of a dispenser includes a platform positionable on the housing of the dispenser. A refrigeration unit mounts at a center and rear portions of the platform. An electronic control is disposed within a housing that is mounted at a center portion of the platform adjacent to the refrigeration unit. The electronic control housing permits access to the electronic control from the front of the dispenser. An evaporator coil of the refrigeration unit includes concentric coil sections defined by an inner coil section, an intermediate coil section, and an outer coil section.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing ice includes a bin and a shroud that contains a recess for housing a wheel. The shroud mounts to a front wall of the bin and includes a chute that communicates exterior to the bin. The shroud further includes a curved plate that directs ice into the recess so that the wheel can raise the ice to the chute. A plate mounts at an angle sloping downward towards the front wall of the bin to direct ice onto the curved plate of the shroud. A discharge chute assembly mounts to the ice bin and communicates with the chute of the shroud to permit the delivery of the ice exterior to the bin. A gear motor drives the wheel to facilitate the lifting of the ice to the chute of the shroud. Alternatively, in a combination ice and beverage dispenser, the plate mounted within the bin is replaced with a cold plate mounted within the bin at an angle sloping downward towards the front wall of the bin.

Abstract: The present invention is a skeg cover which may be fitted onto either a damaged skeg or a new skeg to prevent shaft, gear, or propeller damage. The present invention is constructed such that it is inexpensive and may be quickly and easily installed by a boat owner.

Abstract: An ice bagger comprises an ice maker, an ice bagging unit which includes an automatic sanitation system, and a merchandiser. The ice maker delivers particulate ice into a hopper housed within the ice bagging unit. The ice bagging unit includes a bag carrier which retrieves a bag from a bag supply and opens the bag underneath a delivery chute communicating with the hopper via an auger. A scale supports the bag during its filling to measure the weight of the ice delivered into the bag from the hopper. When the scale registers the desired amount of ice, the auger ceases to deliver ice from the hopper into the delivery chute. The ice bagging unit further includes a sealer arm and heating element wherein, after the bag is filled, the sealer arm pivots to detach the bag from the bag carrier and force both sides of the open end of the bag against the heating element. The heating element then activates to seal the bag closed.

Abstract: An attachable member for creating sculptured nails and a method for using the same. The attachment member is designed to fit beneath the fingernail of the user upon the insertion of a template beneath the nail of the user. The template is the pattern upon which a brush-applied liquid powder acrylic mix or similar product is applied. Adjacent to the template and forming an outline for the pattern is a groove designed to define the edge and form it to a uniform thickness and shape and to catch the excess mix. Outside of the groove is an adjacent area for wiping off excess.

Abstract: A method and apparatus utilizes either a targetless approach or a target oriented approach to determine "attractors" in data fields of a physical property or set of physical properties of an object. A processing system implements the method which begins by first inputting a data field of a physical property or data fields of a set of physical properties of the object. Second, the processing system arranges the data of the data field or the data of each data field into a matrix. Third, the processing system transforms the data within the matrix or matrices to develop transformation matrices. Fourth, the processing system develops a base dichotomy matrix from each transformation matrix. Fifth, the processing system develops a full description set of matrices from the base dichotomy matrices.

Abstract: A clamp for securing a rod adjacent to a bone includes a rod holder constructed from shape memory material. A bone hook also constructed from shape memory material connects to the rod holder to affix the rod holder adjacent to the bone. The bone hook consists of a pincer that encircles the bone or, alternatively, two separate members coupled together during surgery to encircle the bone. A blocker constructed from shape memory material fits within the rod holder to secure the rod within the rod holder. The blocker permits slidable motion of the rod within the rod holder or, alternatively, rigidly secures the rod within the rod holder.

Abstract: An ice bagger comprises an ice maker, an ice bagging unit which includes an automatic sanitation system, and a merchandiser. The ice maker delivers particulate ice into a hopper housed within the ice bagging unit. The ice bagging unit includes a bag carrier which retrieves a bag from a bag supply and opens the bag underneath a delivery chute communicating with the hopper via an auger. A scale supports the bag during its filling to measure the weight of the ice delivered into the bag from the hopper. When the scale registers the desired amount of ice, the auger ceases to deliver ice from the hopper into the delivery chute. The ice bagging unit further includes a sealer arm and heating element wherein, after the bag is filled, the sealer arm pivots to detach the bag from the bag carrier and force both sides of the open end of the bag against the heating element. The heating element then activates to seal the bag closed.

Abstract: A convertible visor has a bill including a first bill covering attached to a second bill covering with a bill stiffener therebetween. The bill stiffener permits the reversing of the bill to display either the first bill covering or the second bill covering as the exterior of the visor. A headband attaches to the bill and includes a first headband covering attached to a second headband covering. The first and second headband coverings define an enclosure therebetween that contains a headband stiffener. Furthermore, the first and second headband coverings are rotatable about the headband stiffener to permit the display of either the first headband covering or the second headband covering as the exterior of the visor.

Abstract: A stable, non-aqueous liquid suspension of delayed boron cross-linkers comprises an anhydrous boron compound or a sparingly soluble borate suspended in a mixture of mineral spirits (commonly termed as naphtha) and a resin. Anhydrous boron compounds suitable for suspension include, but are not limited to, anhydrous borax, anhydrous boric acid, or a mixture of both the anhydrous borax and anhydrous boric acid. Sparingly soluble borates suitable for suspension include, but are not limited to, alkaline earth metal borates, alkali metal borates, or a mixture thereof. The mixture between the mineral spirits and resin produces a mineral spirits-resin solution. Alternatively, the mineral spirits may be replaced with a suitable oil which forms an oil-resin solution when mixed with the resin. The oil-resin solution suspends the anhydrous boron compound or the sparingly soluble borate to produce a stable, non-aqueous liquid suspension of delayed boron cross-linkers.

Abstract: A sectional folding bed includes a first longitudinal member and a second longitudinal member with each longitudinal member having a first protrusion and a second protrusion at respective ends. A sheet including a first loop and a second loop is secured between said first and second longitudinal members. A first cross member that fits through the first loop of the sheet includes first and second holes that receive a respective one of the first protrusions of the first and second longitudinal members. A second cross member that fits through the second loop of the sheet includes a hole for receiving the second protrusion of the first longitudinal member and a locking member for receiving the second protrusion of the second longitudinal member.

Abstract: A post mix beverage dispensing nozzle includes a housing that contains a diffuser. The nozzle connects to a dispensing valve for dispensing a viscous beverage syrup that must be mixed with a mixing fluid, such as water, before dispensing. The diffuser comprises a plurality of interconnected plates with the top plate contacting the beverage syrup entering the nozzle to direct the beverage syrup radially outward in a thin sheet. As the beverage syrup expands radially outward past the surface of the top plate, the mixing fluid shears the beverage syrup and forces it to cascade down the remaining plates of the diffuser. The top plate of the diffuser forces the beverage syrup into a thin sheet to expose a maximum surface area of the beverage syrup to the water, while the cascading effect created by the remaining plates results in vigorous mixing that produces a dispensed beverage having the desired mix ratio between mixing fluid and beverage syrup.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a batch of dough includes a housing that supports a conveyor, a press, and a cutter. The apparatus further includes a drive motor for the conveyor and press. Upon the placement of a batch of dough on the conveyor, the conveyor feeds the batch of dough to the press. The press squeezes the batch of dough against the conveyor to compress it into a thin flat sheet. After the batch of dough has been compressed, the conveyor feeds the flat thin flat sheet to the cutter. The cutter includes an elliptically shaped cutting edge so that, as the flat thin sheet of dough passes underneath the cutter, the cutter cuts ellipses of dough for delivery to a baking device. The motor forms part of a chain drive system that drives the conveyor in an endless loop and, further, drives the press to compress the batch of dough into the thin flat sheet.

Abstract: An underflow/overflow detector includes first circuitry that decodes an exponent into an exponent shift value and compares the exponent shift value with a normalize shift value to determine whether an underflow or overflow error will occur. The underflow overflow detector further includes second circuitry that compares the exponent to a maximum and minimum exponent value to determine whether an underflow or overflow error will occur.

Abstract: An apparatus for rounding an answer produced during the execution of an operation by a multiple stage execution pipeline includes first circuitry for detecting when the operation is iterative and accuracy bits associated with the answer to determine if a rounding calculation is required. When the first circuitry detects a rounding calculation is required, it sets a correction factor for the answer in accordance with a rounding mode and the detected accuracy. In a method practiced by the apparatus, the rounding an answer produced during the execution of an operation occurs through the steps of detecting, when the operation is iterative, accuracy bits associated with the answer to determine if a rounding calculation is required, and, when the rounding calculation is required, setting a correction factor for the answer in accordance with a rounding mode and the detected accuracy bits.

Abstract: A hoist which mounts to a trailer hitch drawbar of a vehicle includes a post connected to a tongue. The post includes an angle which defines a boom extending from a central column. The tongue includes a pivot member connected to a securing member which includes holes to allow the hoist to be secured to the trailer hitch drawbar. A brace connected between the boom and central column supports the boom, while a brace connected between the central column and the securing member supports the central column. The boom includes an eye utilized to support a block and tackle or, alternatively, a pulley utilized to support the cable of a winch mounted to the central column.