Abstract: A method of preparing collagen by first producing a collagen matrix and then extracting collagen from the matrix.

Abstract: A water valve apparatus includes a housing and a control valve stem. The housing has a spacer to divide the interior space and a base with a plurality of water outlets formed thereon. The spacer has a first opening. The base has a second opening corresponding to the first opening. The spacer and base are interposed by a displacement track. The displacement track has at least one first anchor zone and one second anchor zone. The valve control stem runs through the first opening and second opening, and has a water stopper located in the first opening and an anchor ring movably coupled thereon. The anchor ring has at least an anchor stub in the displacement track. The valve control stem is operable easily to allow users to determine water supply. No excessive contact with water faucets is needed. Thus the risk of bacteria contagion can be minimized.

Abstract: An improved heat-dissipation structure includes a heat-dissipation lamp frame which comprises: a heat-dissipation structure and a plurality of heat-dissipation lamp sets. The heat-dissipation structure has a plurality of heat-dissipation fins on one side thereof, and the heat-dissipation lamp sets are accommodated on the other side of the heat-dissipation structure. An inlay slot is formed along the perimeter of the heat-dissipation lamp sets and is used to accommodate a light guiding tube which is a hollow and tube-like structure and has an inlay rim. The light guiding tube passes through the opening and is inlaid in the inlay slot of the heat-dissipation lamp frame. A casing is a metallic shell and has a through-hole on one side thereof to accept the heat-dissipation lamp frame. The casing has an opening on the other side thereof. A light-permeable cover is a light-permeable hood and has a contact plane on one side thereof.

Abstract: A pseudo-plastic or thixotropic carrier having anti-malodorous components dissolved or suspended therein is sprayed on the internal surfaces of an ostomy bag or pouch. The viscoelastic properties of the carrier allow the composition to be conveniently dispensed from a spray bottle into the ostomy bag and retained on the inner walls thereof without being displaced therefrom by incoming waste during use of the ostomy bag. This allows the composition to continue to deodorize the ostomy bag headspace even after waste material begins to fill the bag.

Abstract: A timing device for visually determining the passage of a preselected period of time including a redox indicator and a metal salt wherein the indicator undergoes an observable change in color which is related to the desired preselected period of time.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon trap comprises an Ag-zeolite which is heated by a unique steaming regimen.

Abstract: A method of producing sodium bicarbonate having a high degree of purity and obtaining a net reduction in effluent waste water, as compared to prior processes, when starting from trona ore is disclosed. The process entails utilizing the waste-water effluent stream from the conversion of trona ore to sodium carbonate as the feed for the conversion of sodium carbonate to sodium bicarbonate.

Abstract: A foldable chair has a supporting shaft assembly, a frame assembly, a connecting shaft assembly and a cushion mounted on the frame. The supporting shaft assembly has two parallel rockers connected by multiple transverse shafts and four curved shafts rotatably mounted respectively on ends of the rockers. Thus, the foldable chair can be used as a general chair or a rocking chair. A frame assembly has two seat bars, a backrest bar pivotally mounted on the seat bars, a foot bar and two armrests pivotally mounted on the foot bars. The connecting shaft assembly has two rear shafts and two front shafts all connected with the seat bars and the rockers and further has two positioning boards mounted on the rockers and each positioning board has detents. The rotatable curved shafts on the rockers allow the foldable chair to be used as a general chair or a rocking chair.

Abstract: A ball chair has a seat, a backrest assembly and a ball cushion. The seat has a top face, a passage defined in the top surface of the seat, at least three legs formed on the seat and each leg and a supporting base formed on seat. The backrest assembly mounted on the seat and has a bracket, an angle adjusting device, a locking device and a fixed arm. The bracket has two supporting tabs defined in the bottom of the bracket to abut against the supporting base. The ball cushion is mounted inside the passage in the seat. The ball chair provides functions as adjusting backrest angle and the backrest may be extended for convenient use.

Abstract: A breast implant injector device comprising a hollow guide cylinder having an open injection end and an opposed filling end, the cylinder having an elongated slot extending from the injection end toward the filling end, and an elongated plunger which can be pushed through the interior of the hollow cylinder. An unfilled breast implant can be inserted in the cylinder and a fill tube extending from the implant can extend from the interior of the cylinder through the elongated slot. Pushing the plunger through the cylinder pushes the implant through the open injection end, which can be directed into the open incision for injecting the implant therein.

Abstract: In dentifrices containing sodium bicarbonate and anionic species which can react with sodium and water to precipitate hydrated crystals, the ratio of water to humectants, abrasives, and/or thickeners is adjusted so that the dentifrice has a water activity of no greater than 0.60 so as to greatly reduce the salting out of the anionic species.