Abstract: Transaction cards operable as “smart cards”; credit cards; debit cards; access cards; et cetera, having an self-enabling and self-disabling feature provides for authentication and proper user verification. The card receives input from a user and determines if the input is valid. If the user input is valid, the card responds by enabling a magnetic stripe thereon. The magnetic stripe is enabled for a limited time after which it is then disabled. A disabled magnetic stripe is then inoperable for activating card readers. A card which is lost or stolen cannot be used by unauthorized users as it would have a magnetic stripe in a disabled state and only an authorized user would have the ability to enable it. The card possesses a high level of compatibility with known methodology in the art and does not require additional equipment and systems to attain its high security level.

Abstract: A collapsible octagonal bulk box has a bottom structure that closes automatically when the box is moved from a folded-flat condition to an erected condition. The box has opposed side walls and opposed end walls foldably connected by diagonal corner panels. A pair of diagonally opposite corner panels are bisected by longitudinal fold lines, and these fold lines define the outer edges of the folded-flat box. A major bottom flap is foldably connected to the bottom edge of each side wall, and a minor bottom flap is foldably connected to the bottom edge of each end wall. Each major bottom flap has a lateral side extension on its opposite side edges, and a diagonal fold line extends across one extension on each flap to define a triangular portion on each flap. The triangular portions are adhesively attached to an adjacent minor bottom flap, and in the folded-flat condition of the box the flaps project outwardly of the box.

Abstract: A corrugated paperboard bulk box has opposed pairs of parallel side walls, and in a preferred embodiment, has interposed diagonal corner panels to form an octagonal box. The bottom of the box is closed by opposed pairs of interlocking major and minor bottom flaps, wherein one pair of flaps have notches in their free edges and the other pair of flaps have T-shaped locking tabs in their free edges. The notches form a central opening in the bottom when the flaps are folded closed, and the locking tabs are pushed through the opening to lock the flaps closed. Aligning tabs project outwardly from opposite side edges of one pair of opposed bottom flaps, and complemental slots are formed at the folding connection of another pair of bottom flaps, so that when the flaps are folded inwardly toward one another, the tabs extend into the slots to square the box and hold it square.

Abstract: A photochromic tanning and sunscreen lotion having photochromic compounds that change color upon exposure to sunlight or other sources of ultraviolet radiation (UV) to create the appearance of a tanned skin, and which also form a shield against UV radiation to thereby provide an effective sunscreen.

Abstract: A moisture-resistant expendable shipping container of corrugated paperboard for storing and shipping plants. The container may be stacked on top of other containers and may be palletized. It includes at least one shallow tray that forms at least a bottom for the container, and a pair of substantially identical partition members arranged in substantial mirror image relationship to one another in the tray. The partition members are formed of plural angularly interconnected flat panels resting on their edge in the tray, and define a transverse wall extending across a mid-portion of the tray and a peripheral wall extending at least partially to around the periphery of the tray. The partition members provide support for multiple containers stacked on top of one another, and at least partially enclose the plants.

Abstract: A combined strainer and stopper device for basins, sinks and the like. The device has a perforated cylindrical housing having an open lower end and a perforated top wall. An annular valve seat is formed in the lower end, and a handle is affixed to the top wall. A valve disc is reciprocable in the housing into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat. An actuator stem is connected at a lower end to the valve disc and extends at its upper end through an opening in the handle. Outwardly projecting retaining lugs are on the stem for cooperation with the handle to retain the valve disc in an open position.

Abstract: A container for bulk materials, especially fluid materials, has integral reinforcing flanges on at least one of its top and bottom ends to resist bulging of the container side walls due to the pressure of the container contents. The flanges are tubular in transverse cross-section and are formed of a plurality of panels, with at least some of the panels having interfitting projections and recesses on adjacent ends thereof to interlock with one another and hold the flanges in erected condition. Corner posts may be inserted into the corners of the container, extending from the top to the bottom thereof, to reinforce the container for stacking of multiple containers on top of one another. The reinforcing flanges at the bottom end of the container have an upwardly and outwardly sloping support surface, and a tray insert having a marginal edge surface complementary to the support surface is supported on the support surface to form a bottom wall in the container.

Abstract: A corrugated paperboard bulk box has opposed pairs of parallel side walls, and in a preferred embodiment, has interposed diagonal corner panels to form an octagonal box. The bottom of the box is open in the center and is formed by opposed pairs of interlocking major and minor bottom flaps, wherein one pair of opposed flaps have locking notches in their free edges and the other pair of opposed flaps have locking notches in their outer end edges. The locking notches in the respective pairs of flaps are adapted to interengage when the flaps are folded inwardly toward one another and pressure is exerted on one pair of the flaps, to lock the flaps in their folded relationship. An aligning notch is on a free edge of a pair of opposed bottom flaps for cooperative interengagement with an aligning slot at an adjacent end of the folding connection of an adjacent bottom panel for squaring the box as it is being set up.

Abstract: Boxing exercise apparatus has an adjustable frame that can selectively adjustably support different types of punching bags in optimum position to be struck with the hands and/or feet of a person or persons using the apparatus. In particular, the frame is releasably attachable to a conventional treadmill for simultaneous use of the boxing exercise apparatus and the treadmill. In one form of the invention, the frame is capable of being free-standing independently of use with a treadmill, and in another form the frame relies upon its attachment to a treadmill to support it in an operative upright position.

Abstract: An expandable shirt collar in which the material forming at least the neckband, but preferably both the neckband and the collar, is arranged with the weave thereof on a bias so that it is stretchable in a direction parallel to the circumferential direction of the collar. The stitching that forms the seams attaching the collar to the neckband, and the neckband to the body of the shirt, may be applied in a pattern, e.g., zig-zag or skip stitching, that enables the seams to stretch in the circumferential direction of the collar.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for treating Hemophilia A or B which comprises implanting in fluid communication with the bloodstream of a mammal in need of such treatment a permeable membrane having one or more walls, a hollow chamber therewithin, a plurality of holes extending through the walls of the membrane and permitting fluid to enter and exit the chamber of the membrane, each of the holes being sized so that it is large enough to permit inactive Factor VII to enter the chamber of the membrane and activated Factor VIIa to exit the chamber of the membrane but small enough to prevent fibrinogen from entering the chamber of the membrane, a plurality of supports being disposed within the chamber, and an effective amount of a Factor VII activator or a source of the activator being bound to the supports, wherein inactive Factor VII in blood passing through the membrane becomes activated into Factor VIIa upon contact with the activator within the chamber.

Abstract: A dry, ready-to-eat cereal product in which pieces of cereal are coated with a dry powdered milk or milk substitute product that is reconstitutable in hot or cold water to produce a cereal having flavor, appearance and nutritional value comparable to an equivalent cereal that is not coated with the dried milk or milk substitute product but to which liquid milk has been added.

Abstract: A personal portable filtration device for removing contaminants from water. In one form, the filtration device is attachable to an ordinary drinking straw, and in another form the filtration device is attachable to an enlarged section of a tubular member. In a first embodiment of the first form, the drinking straw is insertable at one end into an opening in the filter device, whereby the filter device is applied externally of the straw, and in another embodiment the filter device is sized and shaped for insertion into an end of the straw. In one embodiment of the second form, the filter device is received in an enlargement at one end of the tubular member, and in another embodiment is received in an enlargement between and spaced from the ends of the tubular member.

Abstract: An inflatable pillow has an air-impervious flexible bladder with one or more chambers therein which are inflatable to different shapes, thicknesses and firmness to conform the pillow to the requirements of different individuals. A soft cover is removably placed on the bladder to enhance the comfort and appearance of the pillow, and the cover is removable for cleaning. In one form of the invention, opposite ends of the pillow are recessed to provide clearance for the face of a person using the pillow, when the person is lying on his or her side. A cervical support portion of increased thickness and/or firmness extends along a front edge of the pillow.

Abstract: A timed cigarette dispenser for limiting the number of cigarettes available to a smoker to assist the smoker in reducing the number of cigarettes smoked over an interval of time, and/or to assist the smoker in quitting smoking. The dispenser includes a housing having a storage chamber therein for containing a quantity of cigarettes, and a solenoid operative to extend a plunger to engage a single cigarette and eject it partially from the housing where it may be grasped and withdrawn. An electronic timing circuit is connected with the dispensing solenoid to energize the solenoid upon the expiration of predetermined time intervals. A cover is latched closed over the storage compartment to prevent access to the storage compartment except when the storage compartment is empty. When the storage compartment is empty, a latch solenoid is automatically energized to disengage the latch and permit the cover to be opened.

Abstract: An individual serving size cereal package containing a dry, ready-to-eat cereal, in which a quantity of dry cereal pieces are placed in a container with a dry milk product, such as dry powdered milk or milk substitute, and other additives, such as nutrients, sweeteners and flavorings, to form a food product that is nutritional and convenient to eat, and is also simple and economical to make.