Abstract: A clip fastener comprises a housing and a releasable cartridge located in or on the housing for holding a plurality of clips. A track is provided for receiving clips from the magazine. A ram rod moves the clip along a pathway defined by the track, and a spreader in the pathway separates an inner loop of the clip from an outer loop thereof.

Abstract: An acoustic-to-electrical transducer for sensing body sounds is disclosed. The transducer comprises a capacitive sensor, whereby a stethoscope diaphragm forms one plate of a capacitor, with the second plate of the capacitor being co-planar to the diaphragm. The capacitance of the two plates varies with the distance between them, said distance being modified by motion of the diaphragm in response to sound pressure. The sensor, circuitry, manufacturing methods and improvements are disclosed.

Abstract: A caulking gun and support device comprises a base member for providing stability to the device and for mounting over a surface. A supporting arm extends upwardly from the base member. A caulking gun for receiving a receptacle containing caulking material is mounted on the supporting arm. An adjustment mechanism for selectively positioning and securing the caulking gun is also provided.

Abstract: A label with booklet comprises a liner material and a label having an upper and lower surface located on the liner. The label is secured to the liner by an adhesive layer on its lower surface such that the label can be peeled off the liner with the adhesive remaining on the lower surface of the label. A booklet is affixed to the upper surface of the label and comprises a plurality of stacked pages having edges including a top page and a bottom page, each of the pages being coextensive with each other and of smaller dimensions than the label. The booklet further comprises a cover member entirely covering the top page and extending beyond at least two opposing edges of the top page, the cover member having an upper non-adhesive surface, and a lower surface having an adhesive thereon by means of which the lower surface of the cover member is permanently adhered to the upper surface of the top page. The booklet is completely removable from the label by removing at least a portion of the cover member.

Abstract: A dispenser for introducing additive into a liquid stream comprises a housing unit having a flow-through passage forming a pathway for the liquid stream. A seating on the housing is provided for receiving a receptacle. The seating includes a reservoir for holding the additive. A conduit extends between the seating and the flow-through passage through which the additive can flow. A valve is also provided for selectively controlling the flow of the additive in the conduit.

Abstract: A sports hat comprises a body including a domed portion having a narrow end and an open wide end, and a ring portion of variable diameter at the narrow end. An elasticized band is associated with the ring portion, as is a substantially non-stretchable elongate drawstring. The elongate drawstring is adjustable between a loosened position and a tightened position to limit the diameter of the ring portion.

Abstract: A hydraulic power generation system is provided for generating power using a pseudo-osmosis process which efficiently exploits the osmotic energy potential between two bodies of water having different salinity concentrations. The method and apparatus of the present invention does not require the use of a semi-permeable membrane or other specially formulated material, nor does it require heating or cooling of the fresh water or salt water solution. Moreover, the device may be used to recover energy from a wide variety of fresh water sources, including treated or untreated river run-off, treated waste-water run-off or effluent, storm-drain run-off, partly contaminated fresh water run-off, and a wide variety of other fresh water sources. The device is well suited to power production in a wide variety of geographic locations and under a wide variety of conditions.

Abstract: A juice extractor for citrus fruits includes a base, a vertical column, a cylindrical element attached to the column, and a cone-shaped juice collecting tray placed on the cylindrical element. A lower fruit holder is located on the juice collecting tray, and a perforated cone-shaped vessel is placed over the lower fruit holder. An upper fruit holder, a pressing device and a handle are also provided, the pressing device consisting of a hollow body, a fixation sleeve member and a connecting rib.

Abstract: A script prompter for attachment to a lens of a camera comprises a two-way mirror having a front surface and a rear surface. A hood is mounted on the rear surface of the mirror and defines with the rear surface a chamber through which light can pass to and from the lens of the camera. A connecting member on the hood connects the script prompt device to the lens of the camera. The script prompter includes a script tray member which is attached to the mirror. The script tray is movable relative to the mirror between an open position where the script tray member is angled with respect to the mirror and a closed position where the script tray member and mirror lie adjacent to each other. In this way, text located on or in the script tray member is reflected in the mirror so as to be visible to a person viewed through the lens.

Abstract: A label with an applied handle having a liner material, a label and a handle. The label has an upper surface and lower surface and is secured to the liner by an adhesive layer on its lower surface. The adhesive layer allows the label to be peeled off the liner with the adhesive remaining on the lower surface of the label. The handle is affixed to the upper surface of the label, and includes an elongate strip and a hanger. The elongate strip has an upper and a lower surface extending continuously across an entire length of the label. The lower surface of the elongate strip is firmly secured to the upper surface of the label by a strong bonding material and a hanger portion integrally connected to the elongate strip and extending therefrom.

Abstract: A filter device for removing combustion gases and/or particulate matter from air comprises a cooling unit and filtering unit. The cooling unit has an inlet for receiving an air stream containing combustion gases and/or particulate matter, a cooling member for lowering the temperature of the air stream, a first outlet for discharge of a condensate, and a second outlet for discharge of the air stream containing uncondensed particulate matter. The filtering unit has an inlet for receiving the air stream containing uncondensed particulate matter from the second outlet of the cooling unit, the filtering unit having at least one filter barrier through which the air stream passes, the filter barrier being configured to catch at least a portion of the particulate matter in the air stream. The invention is also for a process for removing combustion gases and/or particulate matter from an air stream.

Abstract: A paintbrush comprises a handle portion including a stem portion and a head portion, with the head portion having a receiving means thereon. The paintbrush also has a paint application cartridge having a paint application portion, and a holding means for holding the paint application portion. A connecting means for connecting the paint application cartridge releasably to the receiving means of the handle portion is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a toothbrush.

Abstract: A clip fastener has a housing and a magazine located in or on the housing for holding a plurality of clips. A track for receiving clips from the magazine is provided. The fastener has means for moving the clip along a pathway defined by the track, and spreader means in the pathway for separating an inner loop of the clip from an outer loop thereof. An adjustable track to accommodate clips of different sizes may be provided.

Abstract: A composition for controlling bacterial growth/colonization is provided. The composition comprises a selected enzyme, a selected anchor molecule coupled to the enzyme to form an enzyme-anchor complex, with the anchor being capable of attaching to a substrate proximal to a bacterial colony. The attachment to the substrate permits prolonged retention time of the enzyme-anchor complex where the bacterial colony is present to increase the effectiveness of the complex. The invention is also for a method of controlling colonization of bacterial plaque in the oral cavity, as well as a method of forming a composition for controlling the proliferation of bacterial colonies in the oral cavity.

Abstract: A thin, conformable apparatus for monitoring functions of a power source is disclosed that includes at least one dielectric layer upon which are one or more devices selected from a group consisting of a thermistor, data lines, power conductors, and connectors. This assembly, in various configurations of its parts, attaches internally or externally to power sources that may include a "smart battery." When attached to a part or to an entire power source, said apparatus may connect that power source to its host, and other external devices, for example a charger, monitor, or power supply, whereby allowing simultaneous and concurrent data or power to flow between at least two of said devices.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor is provided which is useful for detecting impact, pressure or other forces, and has particular application in detecting the presence of a foreign object in an electronically operated vehicle window including a motor, a frame and a window pane movable in the frame between an open and a closed position. The sensor comprises a fiber optic having one end connected to a light source, with the other end being connected to a detector. In the fiber optic, there is located a sensing portion fiber which is preferably located in the frame of the window so as to modulate light traveling in an optical path in the fibre optic in response to detection of the foreign object which comes into contact therewith. The sensor further comprises a signal propagating means for transmitting a signal to the motor when the optical path is modulated so as to stop or reverse the motor.

Abstract: A fin assembly [10] is provided for detachably removing a fin [12] in a surfboard [13]. The fin [12] has a mounting base [26] and spigots [22 and 23] projecting from front and rear positions on the base [26]. A socket mounting [11] defining at least complementary front and rear sockets [15 and 16] for receiving the spigots [22 and 23] is provided for inclusion in the board [13] for releasably mounting the fin [12] to the board. A grub screw or screws [35] is/are provided for securing the fin [12] in said mounting [11].

Abstract: A burner apparatus for reducing carbon production, comprises a burner having a combustion chamber and a heat exchanger located within the combustion chamber. The heat exchanger has an inlet end where a mixture comprising air and fuel enters, a heat transfer section, and an outlet end from which a process mixture of air and fuel discharges into the combustion chamber and is ignited to produce a product mixture. The inlet end and outlet end are located such that the general flow direction of the air and fuel within at least a portion of the heat transfer section is substantially parallel with flow direction of the product mixture in the combustion chamber. The heat transfer section is located within the combustion chamber so as to receive thermal input from the combusted product mixture therein to heat the process mixture to a temperature sufficiently high to substantially reduce the production of solid carbon therein. The invention is also for a method for reducing carbon production.