Abstract: A brush with improved tuft retention having a handle, a head made from a flowable material, connected to the handle, having a plurality of tuft holes therein, with at least one bristle anchored in each tuft hole with a multi-sided staple. Each staple has a plurality of grooves in at least one side and the grooves in the staples are transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bristles when the staple is used to anchor bristles in a tuft hole.

Abstract: A cutter for use in a surgical probe where the cutter has a first end for being coupled to a driving mechanism and an opposite end on which a blade portion and a contact portion are formed. The cutter is formed from a tube of hard material, such as stainless steel. The contact portion extends beyond the blade portion, which is used to cut tissue, thereby preventing the blade portion from contacting or hitting the inner surface of the closed end or tip of the needle of the probe.

Abstract: A dry marker board including a sheet of material having a writing surface upon which felt tip, erasable ink markers may be used. Preferably, the writing sheet is a sheet of ceramic-on-steel material. A shelf support, preferably made of wood, is mounted on the bottom portion of the writing sheet by fasteners such as nails or screws. Polyurethane is injection molded around the peripheral edge of the writing sheet, encapsulating the peripheral edge and sides of the writing sheet and the shelf support to form a unitary frame with a shelf.

Abstract: An end effector for use with an industrial robot and capable of holding a stack of substantially flat, folded articles. The end effector includes a body which defines a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber has a port which may be coupled to a vacuum source and an opening or vacuum face which is positioned in spaced relation relative to the port. Sealing material is mounted on a portion of the peripheral edge of the vacuum face, and a first blade is mounted on the peripheral edge of the vacuum face adjacent to the strip of sealing material. A second blade is mounted on a third portion of the peripheral edge of the vacuum face in axial opposition to the first blade so that the two blades face one another. A second strip of sealing material is mounted on a fourth portion of the peripheral edge of the vacuum face. The first and second blades and sealing material ensure a proper vacuum seal between the end effector and the articles of interest.

Abstract: The present invention is a dry powder inhaler that is operable to deliver a dry powder medication to the lungs of a patient without the use of a propellant. The inhaler device is a tubular shell with an opening at either end of the shell and an air passageway therethrough, a medication storage chamber, an axially moved air inlet closure member covering the air inlet opening(s), and a slidable medication dosing tray attached to the closure member. In use, the air inlet closure member is pulled in a direction away from the user while the patient inhales, causing the simultaneous introduction and flow of air through the air passageway, and dispersement of a dosage of the medication into the air passageway. The patient then inhales the air/medication mix which passes into the lungs.

Abstract: A braided dental floss having increased tensile strength, reduced likelihood of fraying and improved cleaning comprising multiple braided threads of nylon, polyester, polyethylene, PFA, PTFE, Dacron.RTM., polypropylene or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A three-phase, low-pass filter for use in an electronic speed control system and wherein an adjustable speed drive is disposed in signal transmitting relation relative to an electric motor by an electrical conduit having a predetermined length, and wherein each single-phase circuit of the three-phase, low-pass filter includes an inductor having input and output nodes, a first resistor electrically coupled in parallel to the inductor, a second resistor having input and output nodes, and wherein the input node of the second resistor is electrically coupled to the output node of the inductor, and a capacitor having input and output nodes, and wherein the input node of the capacitor is electrically coupled to the output node of the second resistor, and wherein the low-pass filter is electrically coupled to the electrical conduit and operable to substantially filter out frequencies that tend to excite the natural resonant frequency of the electrical conduit.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a force dissipation seat pedestal that is particularly useful in aircraft seat design. The seat includes two rear supports having multi-strip legs, two front supports having unibody legs, and two gussets located proximal the front legs. One end of each leg is pivotally secured to the pedestal. An other end of each leg is pivotally secured to the floor of the aircraft via a hinged floor mount assembly. The front and rear supports and gussets are designed to maintain their shape during normal operation of the aircraft, but to deform during an emergency landing to reduce the forces transmitted to an occupant of the aircraft seat.

Abstract: A method for processing a food product into a free-flowing form includes forming the food product into a substantially homogeneous mixture; transferring the mixture into an extruding apparatus; extruding the mixture; severing the extruded food product into pieces having predetermined lengths; and curing the pieces by exposing same to moving air.

Abstract: A free-flowing, non-blocking licorice extract is achieved by breaking raw licorice extract into pieces, transferring the pieces of licorice extract to an extruder assembly, processing the licorice extract through said extruder assembly in accordance with a predetermined temperature profile, forcing the licorice extract through a die, cooling the extruded licorice extract to within a predetermined temperature range, severing the extruded licorice extract into pieces of predetermined length and curing the cut pieces for period of time in excess of 12 hours by exposing the cut pieces to moving air.

Abstract: A cargo handling device for use in an overland vehicle. The cargo handling device includes a base frame which is capable of being mounted on the floor of the overland vehicle. A pair of extension members is individually borne by the base members and moveable along a predetermined path of travel from a first, stowed position, to a second, deployed position. A vertical lift is connected to each of the individual extension members at a single pivot point on each respective extension member. The lift can move from a first position, where the it is disposed in a substantially horizontal position, to a second position, where the it is disposed in a substantially vertical position. The vertical lift includes one or more longitudinally positioned tracks and an actuator having a first portion which is mounted to the lift and a second portion. A cargo support assembly is slidably engaged with the one or more tracks and connected to the second portion of the actuator.

Abstract: A method of restoring electrochemical activity to an electrode of a battery. The battery is a bipolar, electrochemical flow battery including a predetermined number of electrochemical cells and an electrolyte. The method includes reversing the direction of the normal cycling current through the battery, and may include lowering the pH of the electrolyte in the battery.

Abstract: An air tool lubricator which includes a body having an inlet and an outlet for a gas, a top bore, and a lubricant chamber. The first end of a lubricant conduit is coupled in fluid-flowing relation to the lubricant chamber, and the second end of the lubricant conduit is disposed in the outlet of the body and is capable of being coupled to a lubricant line. The lubricant line carries lubricant from the air tool lubricator to an air tool. Located within the lubricant chamber and capable of delivering a predetermined amount of lubricant into the lubricant conduit is a lubricant metering device or injector. Mounted on the body is a reservoir which is capable of holding a liquid lubricant, and which has a priming conduit through which lubricant may be delivered to the bore of the body. A priming pump is mounted on the reservoir and is capable of delivering a predetermined amount of lubricant from the reservoir to the lubricant chamber. The priming pump is used to fill the lubricant line with lubricant.

Abstract: A carbon coating including carbon particles having a predetermined size and BET surface area. The carbon coating is applied to electrodes used in batteries. The electrodes may include a nonconductive frame defining at least one aperture and at least one carbon plastic sheet which is borne by the frame and disposed in occluding relation relative to the aperture. The carbon coating is applied to one surface of the carbon plastic sheet.

Abstract: A cargo handling assembly for use in an overland vehicle including a base frame which is capable of being mounted on the floor of the overland vehicle. A pair of extension members is individually borne by the base members. The exterior members are moveable along a predetermined path of travel from a first, stowed position, to a second, deployed position. A pair of carriages is slidably borne by the individual extension members. The carriages are moveable along a path of travel from a first position, where the respective carriages are located in spaced relation relative to the distal end of the respective extension members, to a second position, where the carriages are located near the distal end of the respective extension members. A cargo support assembly having a top end is rotatably connected to each individual extension member at a single pivot point.

Abstract: An energy storage system including a housing adapted to rest on a supporting surface. The housing has a plurality of openings formed therein. Each of a predetermined number of the plurality of openings has a door mounted therein. The housing includes a sump, and located inside the housing are one or more racks. Each of the racks is adapted to hold a plurality of energy storing devices. The racks may include sliding shelves or energy storing device access mechanisms which permit each energy storing device to be moved from a first position to a second position. In addition, and optionally, the racks may be mounted on wheels so that they may be moved within the housing in order to provide access to the energy storing devices mounted thereon.

Abstract: An electric energy storing device constructed from uniquely designed components. Each component includes a first nonconductive frame, having an opening and a predetermined perimeter. Mounted, by its peripheral edge, on the first nonconductive frame, is a plastic sheet, having a centrally positioned opening. The plastic sheet may be made from conductive carbon plastic or from nonconductive, ion-permeable plastic. Mounted to the centrally positioned opening of the plastic sheet is a second nonconductive frame. Each of the frames has a weld bead thereon and a plurality of components are welded together to form an operational device. The provision of a second, centrally located weld prevents deformation or defection at the center of the welded components.

Abstract: A module for liquid electrolyte, electric energy storing devices. The module includes a double-walled container having an innerwall and an outerwall and a rim. The container includes a first well for holding liquid electrolyte electric energy storing devices and which is defined by the inner wall. The container also includes a first electrolyte reservoir having a shelf and a lid for covering the first reservoir. The innerwall and outerwall define a second electrolyte reservoir which surrounds the first electrolyte reservoir so that the first and second reservoirs are in nested relationship. The reservoirs are designed so that a physical puncture of the module will cause the electrolyte from the first reservoir to mix with the electrolyte from the second before it leaks from the module.

Abstract: An improved capacitor including a plurality of plastic frame mounted electrode and separator inserts. The plastic frame mounted electrode and separator inserts are oriented in alternating succession, and have a carbon paste placed therebetween. The capacitor includes terminal electrodes through which electric charge may flow. The capacitor also includes a pair of rigid endblocks.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Mandevilla characterized by large funnelform to trumpet-shaped flowers that open pale pink, fade to white within one to three days after anthesis and remain on the plant an additional two to three days. Flower color is highlighted by a bright red-purple throat that becomes somewhat lighter as the flower ages.