Abstract: A mixing syringe having a first sealed chamber containing a powder (powder housing) and a second sealed chamber containing a liquid (liquid housing). When the user needs to inject a patient, he or she holds the mixing syringe approximately upright and depresses a plunger. This motion causes a piercer to pierce a foil seal separating the two chambers. The liquid then drops down into the powder housing. The liquid flows through a passage in a piston located in the powder housing, where it then comes in contact with the powder itself. As the user continues pressing the plunger downward, the piercer comes to rest within the piston and seals the passage through the piston, thereby locking the piercer and piston together. The device is then ready for an injection. As the plunger is further depressed, the piston expels the powder and liquid mixture through a needle.

Abstract: A beverage can having a primary fluid volume and a segregated secondary container. The secondary container could contain a liquid or a granulated solid. The two containers are separated by a barrier which can be opened. The beverage can has a lid with a conventional pull-tab and downward-opening hatch. However, the hatch is equipped with a piercer extending down into the can. When the pull-tab is actuated, the piercer breaches the barrier separating the secondary container from the primary fluid volume. The contents of the secondary container can then be mixed with the primary fluid.

Abstract: A plastic trim strip useful for trimming the installation of doors, windows, and the like. The trim strip has a first side suitable for viewing in a finished installation, and a second side with at least one band of contact adhesive. In storage, the contact adhesive is covered by a peelable backing. The trim strip is formed of material which is capable of some deformation while retaining the elastic memory to retain its original flat shape. The trim strip can be cut, bent, roll formed, etc. to produce the shape desired for the installation. The user then removes the peelable backing and uses the contact adhesive to affix the strip in the desired location. The trim strip is preferably stored in a roll within a dispenser box. The dispenser box allows the compact storage and transportation of many feet of the material.

Abstract: A tool for releasing excess air from the swim bladder of a fish. The present invention includes a puncturer situated in a housing and a push rod which extends out of the housing for pushing the puncturer out of the housing and into the swim bladder of the fish. When the tool is employed, the excess air passes through the puncturer into the housing and then out vents located in the side wall of the housing. The puncturer is spring biased to remain in the covered position until the user applies an external force to the push rod to expose the puncturer.

Abstract: An improved digital scope for locating and targeting objects. The scope includes an image detection device that is configured to collect image data of a sighted region. The scope further includes a display screen that is electronically connected to the image detection device and is configured to display image data of the sighted region as a continuous video feed. The left sidefield portion of the sighted region is displayed horizontally compressed in the left portion of the display screen, the right sidefield portion of the sighted region is displayed horizontally compressed in the right portion of the display screen, and the center portion of the sighted region is displayed in the center portion of the display screen without horizontal compression.

Abstract: A new reactant delivery system for delivering reactants to the membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell. The invention uses a plurality of small holes to propel high-velocity streams of reactant gases (“microjets”) against an impingement plate. The microjets assist in catalyzing the reactant gases and forcing them toward the proton exchange membrane. Reactant gas flow is primarily perpendicular to the orientation of the proton exchange membrane, thereby enhancing diffusion rates. In addition, each microjet acts like an expansion valve, which significantly cools the flowing gas and provides internal heat absorption. This internal heat absorption permits higher energy densities in the fuel cell.

Abstract: A method for processing and displaying individual views of the application of pre-defined criteria to textual, graphical, video, or audio material. The use of visually-differentiated emphasis to display similarities and differences can take a variety of forms, including color-coded highlighting, underlining, circling, or the insertion of graphical symbols.

Abstract: A method of controlling the effective impedance of a low-impedance high-temperature superconducting cable (“HTS cable”). Passive or active control circuitry is used to create a current in the shielding conductor of the HTS cable which opposes the current in the primary conductor. In the case of a three-phase conductor, magnetic cross-coupling between the phases is exploited. The magnitude of the magnetic field is used to alter the HTS cable's effective impedance. The result is the creation of a controlled and substantially-higher effective impedance for the HTS cable. The creation of the higher impedance allows the HTS cable to be connected in parallel with conventional lines while regulating the amount of current flowing through the HTS cable.

Abstract: A beverage can having a primary fluid volume and a segregated secondary tipping container. The secondary tipping container is sealed prior to opening the beverage can so that its contents do not mix with the contents of the primary container. The beverage can has a lid with a conventional pull-tab and downward-opening hatch. The secondary tipping container is preferably attached to the underside of the lid. The tipping container has an open mouth which is preferably sealed against the underside. When the pull-tab is actuated, the hatch descends and detaches a portion of the tipping container from the lid so that the tipping container then pivots downward and spills its contents into the primary container.

Abstract: An abrading device for use in irritating and blotting a surgical area, preferably the area between the chest wall and lung of a patient, to allow the user to more easily insert and remove the surgical device reducing contact with surrounding tissue and wound edges. The device is primarily comprised of a cannula, a plurality of radial springs, an abrasive tip, an actuator and an adjuster. The actuator is configured to selectively move the abrasive tip and plurality of radial springs into and out of the cannula. The adjuster allows the user to selectively expand or collapse the abrasive tip.

Abstract: A conical anode X-ray source with a spot size approximately one tenth of the size of existing mammography devices. The source produces the same or higher radiance than the prior art. It also produces almost no high-energy Bremstrahlung. The electron beam is directed into a conical anode so that it strikes the reflecting surface at an angle which produces total internal reflection. The X-rays emitted via the reflection would ordinarily exit the small end of the conical anode in a diverging conical pattern—producing an undesirable “ring” configuration at the image plane. A homogenizing optic is therefore preferably added to the small end of the conical anode. The homogenizing optic is sized to reflect the X-rays emerging from the conical anode and thereby create a uniform “spot” source at the far end of the homogenizing optic.

Abstract: A bale accumulator and method in which a plurality of hay bales can be accumulated and arranged into a cluster of ten bales (a “ten stack”). The accumulator first collects a bale in each of two angled bale receivers at the rear of the accumulator. These remain in position as four columns having two bales each are collected in a more forward collection. The result is two angled bales being dragged to the rear of a conventional “eight stack.” As the device releases all ten bales, gate mechanisms rotate the two rear bales 90 degrees so that they lie transverse to the eight bales comprising the “eight stack.” The two rear bales are pressed against the rear of the eight stack in order to form a ten stack.

Abstract: A new bomb release mechanism which allows an RC aircraft to carry an unlimited number of model bombs. The new bomb release mechanism allows the pilot to release these model bombs in any sequence using only one unused channel on the receiver in the aircraft. The present invention accomplishes these objectives by employing a special alloy metal wire which shrinks when subjected to an electric current. A programmed circuit is used to energize the metal wire upon receipt of the designated control signal.

Abstract: A drug-injecting device with a traveling hypodermic or intramuscular needle. The drug-injecting device includes a syringe body which has a base and a top opening into a hollow interior. A membrane is attached across the base of the syringe body, hermetically sealing the reservoir of the syringe from the environment. A plunger is situated within the hollow interior of the syringe body, so that one end of the plunger projects outward through the top of the syringe body. A piston is attached to the other end of the plunger. The plunger is configured to travel back and forth within the hollow interior of the syringe body between a first position and a second position. A needle is attached to the piston so that the needle travels with the plunger when the plunger is moved between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A method of extending the closing point in a timed on-line auction. The method establishes a fixed closing time for the on-line auction. The system then monitors for the placement of a bid within a first fixed time period proximate the closing point. If a bid is received during the first fixed time period, then the timed auction is extended for a first extended time period (which may be the same length as the first fixed time period). The process then repeats by monitoring for the receipt of a bid during the first extended time period. If a bid is received, then the timed auction is extended for a second extended time period. The extensions will continue until no bid is received during an extended time period, at which point the auction will finally close.

Abstract: An electromagnet having a conical bore. The conical bore is created by wrapping a conductor around a conically-offset helix. The cross sectional area of the conductor can be varied in order to maintain a desired current carrying capacity along the helix. A single element can be used as the conductor. The conductor can also be created by stacking a series of specially-shaped plates analogous to prior art Bitter-disks.

Abstract: A method for processing CoPt alloys with improved magnetic properties. The method includes sealing a sample of a CoPt alloy in an evacuated quartz tube, and heating the alloy to a temperature of approximately 1000 degrees C. to homogenize the alloy for approximately 3 hours. The sample is then cooled at a controlled cooling rate of 120-150 degrees C. per minute to 600 degrees C. The sample is then held at 600 degrees C. for 10 hours to promote isothermal ordering. Finally, the sample is quenched in mineral oil.

Abstract: A termination anchor having a neck region, a mid region, and a distal region. An expanding passage through the anchor from the neck region to the distal region is bounded by an internal surface. Exposed strands on a cable are trapped within this expanding passage by infusing them with liquid potting compound (either before or after the strands are placed within the passage). This liquid potting compound solidifies while the strands are within the anchor to form a solidified potted region. The present invention optimizes the profile of the internal surface in order to transfer stress occurring in the neck region to the mid region and the distal region. By transferring some of this stress, a more uniform stress distribution and a lower peak stress are achieved.