Abstract: Externally detectable electronic article surveillance markers are attached to surgical implements, such as sponges and surgical instruments, appointed for use in a surgical wound. The attachment mechanism facilitates detection by an external interrogating field before the wound has been closed and the patient has left the operating table. The markers are responsive to the imposition of an interrogating field produced by an electronic article surveillance system. Markers contain one or more magnetomechanically responsive elements that are urged into mechanical resonance by the interrogating field. The ring-down of the resonance and the associated dipolar electromagnetic field provide a signal-identifying characteristic detected by a detection system. Upon detection, an audible or visible signal is triggered to alert relevant medical personnel to the need for follow-up care and removal of the offending item. The resonance occurs at a frequency ranging from about 70 to 300 kHz.

Abstract: A surgical sponge comprises a plurality of radiopaque markers having a high radiographic density and a distinctive, visually recognizable shape. The markers have an x-ray density equivalent to at least about 0.1 g/cm2 of BaSO4. The markers produce an x-ray image with high contrast and a shape that is readily recognizable and differentiated from the images produced by other items and structures commonly seen in x-rays of post-operative patients. Owing to the distinctive, high contrast image produced by the markers, the sponge is reliably and unambiguously detected. This is so even in situations where the sponge is inadvertently left in the surgical wound. Discomfort, trauma, and possibly fatal consequences that might otherwise occur are virtually eliminated. The surgical procedure is carried out with decreased likelihood of a sponge being retained inadvertently.

Abstract: A disposable drain strainer is removably received within a drain opening having an adjacent drain rim substrate. The strainer has a strainer portion, a ring portion, and a seal release mechanism. Top and bottom surfaces of the ring portion are adapted to sealingly engage the drain rim substrate. The seal release mechanism is integral with the ring portion, and facilitates release of the seal so that the strainer can be readily be removed from the sink and discarded. In one aspect, the seal release mechanism comprises a tab. In another aspect, the seal release mechanism comprises a press-release component, wherein the ring portion has arced ring walls having convex and concave configurations. During sealing engagement with the drain rim, the ring portion is in the convex configuration. Pressure applied to the ring portion causes it to move to the concave configuration.

Abstract: A wrapping paper storage device and dispenser supports a sheet of wrapping paper between the top wall of the dispenser and a flap member. This support continues throughout the cutting operation, so that curling, wrinkling or edge deformation of the wrapping paper is prevented. The flap member is provided with a flap slot in a hard polymeric sheet. An upper surface of the top wall of the dispenser is comprised of a hard flat polymeric sheet. The cutter traverses the flap slot when contacting the hard flat polymeric sheet, thereby severing the fully supported wrapping paper in a reliable, efficient manner. The cutter may be a separate cutting implement, such as a razor blade or knife. It may alternatively comprise an integral, spring loaded, slidable cutter that rides in the flap slot.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing interactive audience participation at live entertainment events. The method includes providing audience members with an interactive device that presents a promotional message and includes a user interface, broadcasting audio programming to the audience member through the interactive device, querying the audience members, wherein answers to the querying may be entered by the audience member via the user interface of the interactive device, transmitting the answers to a central processor, storing the answers as audience data, processing the audience data into results, storing the results of the processing of the audience data and broadcasting the results of the processing of the audience data.

Abstract: Externally detectable electronic article surveillance markers are attached to surgical implements, such as sponges and surgical instruments, appointed for use in a surgical wound. The attachment mechanism facilitates detection by an external interrogating field before the wound has been closed and the patient has left the operating table. The markers are responsive to the imposition of an interrogating field produced by an electronic article surveillance system. Use of the attachment mechanism and markers assure that the surgical implements are reliably detected and removed before completion of the surgical procedure. This technique eliminates the not infrequent mishap in which an implement is undiscovered at the time of surgery and remains indefinitely within the surgical cavity, often entailing dire consequences to the patient.

Abstract: A bandage remains securely attached to the skin of a wearer during extended exposure to arid, humid or wet conditions. The bandage is readily removed from the attached condition upon application of pressure to its exterior surface. Adhesive portions of the contain pockets or microcapsules filled with an adhesive-inactivating ingredient. The pockets are formed in the backing layer. Microcapsules, if present, are incorporated in the adhesive. The adhesive inactivating ingredient comprises oil from vegetable source, mineral source or fatty acids. The wearer ruptures the pockets or microcapsules by applying pressure to the bandage above the adhesive portions. The adhesive-inactivating ingredient is thereby released at the skin-adhesive interface, permitting an easy, pain-free removal of the bandage.

Abstract: A three dimensional soft magnetic metal mass suitable for milling is formed wrapping soft magnetic metal ribbon into a three dimensional shape and then applying adhesive to the three dimensional shape. The adhesive permeates the three dimensional shape. The adhesive is then cured. If the soft magnetic metal mass is made as a toroid, then it could be processed into an electromechanical component. The electromechanical component would then be suitable for use in very high frequency electric motors.

Abstract: A digital sampling playback doorbell system has two or more doorbell buttons and a central unit with solid state memory storage for multiple digitally sampled sound files. User assignment means are provided for assigning a particular sound file to a particular doorbell button. The digital sampling playback doorbell has computer interface of RS-232, or USB, or infrared wireless connection type and relies on computer installed software to download digitally sampled sound files stored in the computer hard drive to the memory of the digital sampling playback doorbell system central unit. The digitally sampled sound files stored in the computer hard drive are obtained by accessing a web site through the Internet or capturing sound through an audio computer connection to a microphone, CD player, radio broadcast or mass music storage device using software resident in the computer. Alternatively, an IPOD can be used as a source for sounds that can be transferred or sent to play on the doorbell.

Abstract: A high intensity lighting system comprises a plurality of high intensity discharge lamps electrically connected to a polyphase alternator and a prime mover mechanically connected to the alternator. An inherent impedance characteristic of the alternator permits the lamps to be reliably started and energized without any separate ballast or comparable impedance element. The alternator comprises a stator having teeth extending from a backiron. The teeth consist of the alternator phases, and the coils encircle the respective teeth of each pair and are wound in opposite sense and connected in series. The machine is preferably an axial airgap device wherein the stator assembly has a magnetic core made from low loss, high frequency material. A high pole count permits the electrical device to operate at high commutating frequencies, with high efficiency, high power density and improved performance characteristics.

Abstract: A metallic glass-coated microwire has controllable surface porosity. The porosity is achieved by etching the metallic glass-coated microwire or other shapes of glass-coated bodies with acid after annealing to produce a multi-phase glass coating. Porous metallic glass-coated microwires are found to make superior PCR machines, which find use in a variety of in vivo, biochemical, and chemical sensors. Advantageously, the PCR apparatus is smaller, less expensive to construct than conventional units. It readily carries out in vivo passive or active operations.

Abstract: A trunk houses an infant outfit and infant blanket appointed to clothe and swaddle a newborn infant on the momentous journey home from the hospital. Also included by the container are a plurality of cards adapted for documenting the joyous journey. The infant outfit, infant blanket, and cards are safely stored and displayed within the container. A memorabilia system and method are thereby provided for memorializing and commemorating the infant's first journey home from the hospital. The memorabilia system and method are operable to accommodate at least five generations of infant home journeys.

Abstract: A metallic glass-coated wire is formed by drawing a hollow glass fiber from a container in which molten alloy is entrained and solidified. Interference stresses extant between the glass coating and the alloy core of the wire are produced by systematically controlling thickness and mechanical elastic properties of the glass. The interference stress is tailored by selection of glass thickness and chemistry to optimize wire drawing process conditions, such as drawing temperature and strain rate. In addition, the interference stress is especially tailored to assure physical integrity of the glass-alloy composite wire product. Local property variations along the wire length are minimized, facilitating production of discrete wire segments especially suited for use in EAS applications.

Abstract: A flanged joint system connects two pipes disposed along a common axis. A flange having a mating surface terminates each pipe. A gasket assembly comprising an outer annular, substantially rigid retaining ring and a peripheral alignment rim, an inner deformable annular sealing member is interposed between the mating surfaces of the flanges. The flanges and gasket assembly are aligned in mutually coaxial relationship by receipt of the flanges within the alignment rim. The flanges are clamped together with their mating surfaces in axially aligned, facing relationship. The retaining ring limits the impingement of the flanges and prevents overcompression of the deformable material. The joint is reliable and durable, and permits aseptic processing conditions to be maintained. Servicing and gasket replacement are readily accomplished.

Abstract: A hairbrush for people and pets releases a perfume, fragrance and/or other active compositions including insect repellant, hair conditioning composition, dye composition, moisturizing ingredients, or antibacterial compounds when brushed or activated by manually depressing a cover. The brush includes a flexible deformable membrane that carries brush bristles and has a plurality of apertures for delivery of the active composition and is fitted within a first opening of an internal cavity in a brush base. A porous sponge being saturated with the active ingredient is inserted over the flexible deformable membrane. A cover is inserted through a second opening and rests upon the porous sponge. Brushing action deforms the flexible deformable membrane and squeezes the sponge releasing the active ingredient. Manually depressing the cover also releases the active ingredient even though the bristles may not be in direct contact with the hair at that time.

Abstract: A catalytic converter for an internal combustion engine exhaust system comprises a single-piece, seamless metal housing having tubulated gas inlet and outlet ports and a tubulated intermediate section with a catalytic element therein. The intermediate section is connected to the inlet port by an inlet transition section and to the outlet port by an outlet transition section. The inlet and outlet ports and the inlet and outlet transition sections are formed by swaging the ends of a seamless tube used to form the housing. Exhaust gas produced by operation of the engine passes into the converter and through the catalytic element. A swaging process is used to form tubulated ends on the converter.

Abstract: A flexible abrasion resistant omnidirectionally reflective rope has a central braided high strength core comprising gel fiber or p-aramid fibers that is surrounded by cylindrically braided sleeve of reflective strips composed of narrow width reflective strips that comprise a woven or knitted narrow width strip and a flexible nylon retroreflective sheet sewn thereon and covered with abrasion resistant coating. The flexible retroreflective sheet is formed by thermally bonding corner cube, microsphere retroreflectors, or wide angle exposed retroreflective lenses to a flexible polymeric sheet. Due to its braided construction, the reflective rope reflects light omnidirectionally over a large angle of acceptance, thereby providing an improved measure of safety in the marine craft environment. The reflected light beam provides accurate illumination of the marine craft gunnels, sail edges, mooring lines, railings and the like when the omnidirectionally reflective rope is used during dusk, fog or nighttime hours.

Abstract: An adjustable patient transport system transports a patient in a comfortable, safe manner by allowing the operator to adjust the head support portion of the apparatus to suit the patient's height. The adjustable patient transport system broadly comprises a patient transport chair having an adjustable back comprising a seat portion, back portion, head support portion, rear leg portion, front leg portion, and material roller system. The back portion comprises an outer frame having a hollow insert and a cloth backing adapted to support a patient's back; the head support portion comprises an inner frame adapted to be received in the hollow insert of the outer frame. The head support portion further comprises a horizontal cross bar having adjustable support material fixedly attached thereto connecting to the material roller system. The adjustable patient transport system can be folded for convenient storage.

Abstract: Telephone central office-switching system integrated interface devices such as those for DSL, Voice over IP, cable-TV, fixed wireless, and Internet capable wireless cellular are further integrated into integrated interface device systems. Such systems share common facilities including a router function, messaging function, and a common voice communications channel. The messaging function is arranged to provide call setup and associated messages which enable a calling device which calls an Integrated Device to establish an Internet communication simply by dialing the telephone number of the Integrated Device. Integrated Devices have both an Internet connection and a telephone number; the Internet connection has an associated IP address. Call setup messages include telephone numbers and IP addresses. The integrated router function is enabled to edge route Internet data traffic within the system and to and from other such systems, without the data traversing further into the Internet.

Abstract: “Noxious substances in the exhaust, including CO, NOx, and incompletely combusted hydrocarbons are converted to more benign substances through the action of the catalytic element, which is preferably a frangible ceramic honeycomb structure having a plurality of internal passages coated with a catalytically active substance.” “The tabulated ends minimize production of turbulence in the gas flow and allow the converter to be connected to the rest of the exhaust system by clamped, welded, or flanged joints. The one-piece, seamless construction of the converter is economical to produce and eliminates welding of housing components that tend to fail when subjected to corrosive exhaust gasses over a prolonged period of time.