Abstract: A candle construction incorporating a fuel core and a surrounding film having sufficient rigidity and/or stiffness along a vertical direction, to provide support for a fuel core which may be fabricated from a soft, cold-flowing or otherwise non-self-supporting material. The film is preferably fabricated from material(s) that are transparent or translucent, to permit visual inspection of the fuel core, and through the fuel core, if the fuel core is itself transparent or translucent. The film has a softening temperature range, the high end of which is greater than the high end of the melting temperature range of the fuel core material. When the fuel core material is molten and consumed through combustion, the film briefly remains in place to establish a vertical gap to contain the molten fuel material pool. The film may have one or more layers, with different materials and characteristics in the different layers.

Abstract: A temperature sensing utensil including a handle and a detachable head. The handle includes an engagement region, having an engagement member moveable between locking and release orientations, and a temperature indicating display assembly. The detachable head includes a receiving region having a receiving member and temperature sensing circuitry. The receiving region releasably receives the engagement region such that positioning of the engagement member in a locking orientation relative to the receiving member locks the detachable head onto the handle, while creating an electrical connection between the temperature sensing circuitry and the temperature indicating display circuitry. However, positioning of the engagement member in a release orientation permits detachment of the head from the handle, and disconnection of the electrical circuit. The temperature sensing utensil may take the form of a fork, spoon, probe or other utensil.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method for controlling the delivery of electronic mail. The method comprises the steps of: creating an allowed list of electronic addresses with which the user is permitted to freely exchange messages; categorizing as authorized each message that is sent to or received from an entity whose address is included on the list; categorizing as unauthorized each message that is sent to or received from an entity whose electronic address is not included in the list; transmitting authorized outgoing messages to their intended recipients; allowing the user to access the contents of authorized received messages. Also disclosed is a method for allowing an administrator to selectively approve messages which are sent to or received from entities whose electronic addresses do not appear on the allowed list.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an apparatus for generating a shaped waveform derived from a binary input signal. The apparatus receives a binary input signal and a sample clock signal. The sample clock signal changes the state of an up/down counter. The binary input signal controls the counting direction of the counter. The counter addresses a lookup table containing stored values. Also disclosed is the apparatus in which the lookup table output is converted to an analog signal by a digital-to-analog converter. The lookup table can be programmed such that the circuit output is equivalent to a filtered version of the binary input signal. The apparatus may optionally be enabled or disabled, such that the apparatus output assumes a predetermined state when disabled.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bone marrow biopsy needle including an outer cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, a hollow section therebetween and a handle portion associated with the proximal end, and an inner rod having a proximal end, a distal end and a handle cap. The handle portion further includes a grip enhancement member which is formed from a material distinct from at least a portion of the handle portion, such as rubber. The grip enhancement member may take the form of insert members which fit into cavities in the handle portion of the outer cannula. The grip enhancement member not only enhances the gripping surface of the bone marrow biopsy needle, but also provides cushioning for a user and adds weight to the handle portion to facilitate weight distribution throughout the outer cannula handle.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a self-erecting container formed from the rapid deployment of flattened, partially articulated and/or pre-glued blanks into an articulated orientation, for the facilitated containment and dispensing of fluid articles. The self-erecting container comprises a bottom panel, two end panels, two side panels, and a pair of corner panels joining each end panel to each side panel. One of each pair of corner panels is affixed to one of opposed side or end panels, forming a container pocket having a substantially collapsed orientation. Upon raising of the end or side panels, respectively, the corner panels cause the respective side or end panels to be automatically be raised relative to the bottom panel, and the container pocket prompted to a substantially upright and expanded orientation. The container further comprises a fluid article holding bag attached to a nozzle, which is inserted into at least one aperture in one of the bottom, end and side panels.

Abstract: Text to be spoken by a speaker, e.g. a newsreader, and held in a store, is displayed on a display which is seen by the speaker through a partially-reflecting mirror 16 mounted in front of a television camera. The text is scrolled up as the speaker speaks, this being achieved automatically by a controller. The controller recognizes the spoken speech picked up by a microphone, using speech recognition techniques, and matches the spoken text with the stored text to be spoken. The speed at which the text is spoken is thus determined and used by positioning circuit to adjust the rate at which the text scrolls up on the display. If the speech recognition fails, the text continues to be changed at a rate dependent upon the previous rate of change.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method for creating and using a dynamic universal resource locator to link an internet end user to a host selected from two or more hosts on the internet. The method comprises the steps of: (a) obtaining information related to either or both of the end user and/or the two or more hosts; (b) selecting, based upon the obtained information, one of the two or more hosts; and (c) generating a link to the selected host. Also disclosed is a method for connecting a user to a dial-up host having an internet domain name and a temporary internet address.

Abstract: A warning barricade apparatus for restricting pedestrian and vehicular traffic and having an increased ability to minimize dislocation of an associated lighting unit upon vehicular impact, while also facilitating removal of the lighting unit for relocation and battery replacement. The warning barricade apparatus comprises a barricade member, an associated lighting unit, a lighting unit sleeve, and an overlaying member. The lighting unit sleeve comprises opposing retaining wall members, which define a lighting unit retention region. The overlaying member covers at least a portion of the lighting unit retention region, and preferably conforms to at least a portion of the lighting unit contour. Upon insertion of the lighting unit into the lighting unit retention region, the overlaying member comes into contact with or partially covers at least a portion of the lighting unit, and a securing member, such as a bolt, anchors the lighting unit to the lighting unit sleeve.

Abstract: A user-responsive system has a controller and a plurality of remotes. Each remote typically has a corresponding sensor and/or actuator. Applications for this system include, but are not limited to heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems, lighting systems, security systems, energy management systems, home automation systems, and home entertainment systems.

Abstract: In order to fill a casting mould with a molten metal, the latter is caused to flow into through an annular chamber into the shaped cavity of a casting mould, such annular chamber discharging over the entire external periphery of the shaped cavity into the latter. The inflow of molten metal into the annular chamber is interrupted by means of a piston, which, being borne inside the annular chamber, is capable of sliding therein. The molten metal can be caused to flow across a large flow cross-section, which shortens the filling time even with reduced flow velocity.

Abstract: A divisible shipping platform apparatus for supporting and transporting loads, in which the apparatus is easily divided into multiple independent shipping platform units for subsequent transporting and handling loads. The divisible shipping platform apparatus comprises a platform member separated from a bottom panel member by a series of pylons. The platform member and bottom panel member are constructed with one or more frangibility lines dividing the platform member and bottom panel member into divisible regions. Inasmuch as those frangibility lines and divisible regions are substantially aligned, independent shipping platform units may be separated from the divisible shipping platform apparatus upon exertion of a force on the divisible regions and, in turn, the frangibility lines.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a biopsy needle for extracting bone marrow from a living bone. The biopsy needle comprises an outer cannula, an inner cannula slidable therein, an obturator and an ejector rod. The outer cannula has a proximal end, affixed to a handle, and a distal end which has a tapered inner diameter. The inner cannula likewise has a proximal end, affixed to an interlocking handle, and a distal end. The inner cannula distal ends consists of a tissue receiving region and a tissue grasping mechanism. The tissue grasping mechanism comprises a resilient deformable wall with an asymmetric configuration, preferably, two opposing slits, and a structure-maintaining spanning member. The tissue grasping member is which are deformed and at least partially closed upon insertion into the tapered region of the outer cannula. In operation, this deformation severs a tissue sample into the receiving region of the inner cannula, which may then be withdrawn from a patient.