Abstract: A modular water quality measurement apparatus and method includes a sealed or unsealed housing with a universal sensor interface cap (12) and mechanical and electrical sensor connections (14) for receiving removably attachable sensors (16 or 16'). Each of the mechanical and electrical sensor connections (14) are individually electrically connected to a programmable motherboard (20) within the housing. Sensor daughterboards (22) are removably attached to the motherboard (20) corresponding to individual sensors (16 or 16') connected to the universal sensor interface cap (12). Further, removably attachable input/output daughterboards (24) are electrically connected to the motherboard (20) for accommodating various serial interface types and software is provided for collecting information from the sensors (16 or 16') and transmitting the information through the input/output daughterboards (24) for manipulation by a user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selective marking using natural or artificial light (10) includes a semi-rigid, flexible design (12) with thread holes (14) in the periphery. A beveled edge (16) is provided around the design edge so that top (18) angles away from bottom (20) along the beveled edge (16). Additionally, a gripping edge (22) is provided so that when the semi-rigid, flexible design (12) is attached to a user's clothing and the semi-rigid, flexible design (12) is brought in contact in the location desired on the user's skin, the semi-rigid, flexible design (12) does not slip or move from its original position. In a preferred embodiment, a universal retainer (24) is provided with interior space (26) and retaining edge (28) for removably receiving a variety of different semi-rigid, flexible designs (12). When exposed to natural or artificial light, a tatoo-like design is created. In another embodiment, a non-threaded, permanent retainer (36) is provided with flexible retaining posts (38).

Abstract: In drilling equipment having at least one remote assembly (62) attached to a drill string (12), an electrically actuated disconnect apparatus and method (10) for releasing the remote assembly (62) has an electric signal transmitter electrically connected to a release device (16). The release device (16) operates a retaining device (22) holding strainer blocking devices (24) therein. A strainer (56) is connected to the drill string (12) after the retainer (22) and through which drilling fluid flows until blocked by the strainer blocking devices (24).

Abstract: An anterior chamber intraocular lens implant which is donut-shaped and lacks refractive power in the portion covering the pupil of the eye. The lens includes a circular joint, or hinge, and locking latch for pivoting the two members forming the implant from a first, open position to a second, closed position. Additionally, minute, soft circular haptics are provided for keeping the lens flexible and in position and which allow only those spots to touch the angle structures of the eye. This lens is made of several basic colors that will give the appearance of a different color to an individuals iris.

Abstract: A combustible bag for igniting material (10) having an outer liner (12) and an inner liner (14). A lighting strip (16) is attached to one or both ends of the outer liner (12) and extends beyond the bag for ease of ignition. The inner liner (14) consists of an inside (24) and an outside (26), with the inside (24) conformed to contain material (22) to be ignited, such as wood chunks, and an outside (26) which is treated with a combustible product (28). The outer liner (12) also has an inside (30) and an outside (32). The inside (30) of the outer liner (12) is conformed to contain the inner liner (14) and is also treated with a combustible product (28). The material to be ignited by the combustible bag (10) of the present invention, in a preferred embodiment, includes dried green wood, which has been treated with paraffin so that the paraffin not only covers the wood, but impregnates it, as well.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing ignitable material (10) having an angled, rotatable, hollow drum (12) with a high end entrance (14) and a low end exit (16). A molten treatment vat (18) containing molten treatment (44), such as paraffin, within which angled, rotatable, hollow drum (12) is rotated is also provided. The treatment vat (18) is heated so that the treatment (44) contained in the vat is kept molten. Additionally, ejection guides (58) are attached interiorly of the hollow drum adjacent the low end exit (16). Further, a molten treatment excess return (46) is connected to the low end so that the material introduced at the high end entrance (14) which is rotated through the molten treatment (44) and then ejected by the ejection guides (58) from the exit end (16) is allowed to shed excess molten treatment (44) which is returned to the molten treatment vat (18) for reuse.

Abstract: A visual teaching aid (10) that allows educators to relate similarities and differences between differing topics and between subtopics within a single topic. The visual teaching aid includes a map (14) and a plurality of labels (16). Contained on the map (14) are a plurality of geographic features (18) such as continents, countries, states, cities, islands, oceans, seas, gulfs, harbors, rivers, lakes, islands, and peninsulas. These geographic features (18) appear as those on a normal map but are preferably not related to actual geographic features (18). Each label (16) associates with a particular geographic feature (18) and also describes an educational topic or subtopic. The labels (16) are logically arranged such that similar topics and subtopics reside in closer proximity to one another than do differing topics and subtopics. Also included with the present invention is a coordinate system (82) for locating geographic features (18) on the map (14).

Abstract: A means and method for moving objects (10) having a stand (12) and at least one support arm (14) movably connected to the stand (12). At least a pair of counter rotatable shafts (16 and 18) are connected with the support arm (14) and movable belts (20) for moving objects (64, 68) surrounds each counter rotatable shaft (16 and 18) so that an upper and lower surface (38 and 40) are formed by the belt (20) and each surface moves together in the same direction. The moveable belts (20) are movable by means of friction, or by a handle (22), or by some other suitable mechanical or electrical-mechanical means, in a direction that causes the device (10) to gently lift up and incrementally crawl under the object (64, 68) to be moved in one direction and to move out from under the object (64, 68) being deposited when moved in the other direction.

Abstract: A perforating blade and signature having a unitary blade (12) that is very narrow in width in proportion to its length, with a cutting edge (16) along one longitudinal side. The cutting edge (16) comprises a combination of a number of spaced-apart straight (12) and angled (20) sections arranged so that the angled sections (20) angle inwardly toward a center point (18) on the perforating blade and along a single side of the cutting edge only. In one embodiment the pattern starts with a single long cutting tooth in the center (18) of the blade followed outwardly from the center on both sides with a repeating pattern of three angled teeth followed by a short straight tooth and so forth. The angled teeth (20) are all angled to the same side of the blade so that the resulting fold line (26) has cuts only on one side (29) of the fold line. The angled cuts result in ties (28) that twist easily, and that, therefore, result in fold lines (26) that fold cleanly without gusseting or binding.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connected forming and controlled stacking of material having a form (12). The form (12) includes at least two molds (14) connected to each other by a web (16). The introduction of material into the form (12) results in the material generally assuming the shape of the molds (14) and the web (16). As a result, when the material is pressed out of the molds (14), the material is held together in the preselected position by the resultant web (16). This enables the stacking of material on top of each other in a controlled and certain manner since the forms pressed from the molds (14) will retain their chosen spaced apart distance and fall consistently and uniformally on top of each other until such time as the desired height of stacked material is achieved.