Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hair highlighting capsule which confines the hair and the coloring solution for a time sufficient to effect the desired coloration of the hair. The hair highlighting capsule is preferably transparent so that the stylist can observe the process. The capsule of the present invention is reusable and easily sealable. The hair highlighting capsule has a female side which is provided with a central cavity and a male side which is provided with a projection. The projection is contoured to be accepted by the central cavity. The depth of the cavity and mating projection are preferably about 0.125 inches. A hinge connects the female side and the male side and is positioned so that the projection and central cavity will register when the capsule is closed. The capsule is sealed by locking the projection into the central cavity. The seal limits flow of the chemical coloring solution from the capsule and excludes the flow of water and other fluids into the capsule.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of identifying and selecting medical equipment, medication doses and/or medical supplies; and to the equipment used to carry out the method. The present invention measures a specific anatomical dimension: this dimension is correlated to a code which can be a color and/or pattern. The color and/or pattern in turn is used to identify and select medication dosage, medical equipment and/or medical supplies. In one embodiment a linear strip is divided into regions of color and/or pattern. The color and/or pattern associated with the patient's length is used to identify and select medication, medical equipment and/or medical supplies. The equipment, medication and supplies can be group by code, contained in a package bearing the code, or marked by the code. In a preferred embodiment an ultrasonic measuring device is used to determine the code associated with a patient's length. In another preferred embodiment the patient is provided with a coded identification bracelet.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and the associated apparatus for producing rapidly solidified materials by spill chilling. The feed stock can include any of a variety of materials including a high melting point and reactive materials, as well as conventional iron, aluminum, copper and transition base commercially available alloys. A support surface is provided for the solid feed material. Means are provided for both globally and locally heating the feed material. The heating means can include resistant heaters, induction heaters, arcs, electron beam and plasma heaters. A focused energy source such as an electron beam, a laser beam, ion beam or an electric arc can be provided for locally heating the material. The molten feed material is spill chilled onto a moving chill surface. The moving chill surface can be in the form of a continuous belt or the rim of a rotating wheel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vessel having a high heat capacity sidewall for use in maintaining the chill on a container such as a bottle of wine. The base of the vessel may be provided with an insulating layer to limit heat conductivity between the vessel and a surface on which the vessel may be placed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the vessel is provided with a closure means. In another preferred embodiment the vessel is provided with an absorbent layer so that when the container is removed from the vessel it will be wiped of condensed moisture. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the vessel is provided with high heat capacity fins to increase the thermal conductivity between a container placed within the vessel and the vessel sidewall. The fins may further serve to constrict the movement of a container placed within the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a new and improved method for engraving abradable surfaces such as marble, granite, slate, glass or wood and to the mask used for the engraving. The mask is formed from a porous material such as a cloth, which is covered with a photoresist emulsion. The mask is formed by selectively exposing the photoresist. To engrave a surface the mask is first positioned on the surface to be engraved and the mask is next impacted by an abrading substance. The surface not protected by the mask is abraded and a pattern is engraved into the surface. Using the present invention no chemical interaction need occur between the mask and the surface to be engraved, and only sandblasting equipment is required. The mask can be produced remote from the engraving site and stored. Two or more masks can be overlaid to engrave intricate designs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a magnetic pump for pumping ferrofluids. The magnetic pump in its simplest form has at least two coils which are electrically connected to a multi-phase power source to produce a traveling electromagnetic field. In close proximity to the coils and substantially normal to the axis of the coils is a tube which defines the path of fluid flow. It is preferred that the coils be embedded in a stator of ferromagnetic material and that the stator be cylindrical. Preferably the tube is wound about the cylindrical stator either internal to or external to the stator. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the tube is placed in an annular gap between cylindrical stators of different diameter and having coils energized so as to produce reinforcing traveling magentic fields.

Abstract: The needle of the present invention is a multi-lumen needle and preferably a dual-lumen epidural-spinal needle. The needle of the present invention is provided with a hub, which allows for attachment of a syringe to one or more of the lumina, or alternatively the attachment of an adapter to which a syringe can be attached. Preferably the lumina have different cross sectional areas. The smaller of the lumina should be of sufficient size to allow a spinal neelde, guide wire, or micro-catheter to be inserted through the lumen. The larger of the two lumina should preferably be of sufficient size to allow an epidural catheter, spinal needle or guide wire to be introduced. The needle of the present invention has applications of regional anesthesia, chronic and post operative pain management, cricothyroid puncture, intracerebroventricular puncture and, access and drainage of concealed fluid collections within the body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a Push Pull Press Machine for use in assembling, disassembling and rebuilding drive shafts. The machine is provided with a bed and fixtures for holding and positioning both ends for precise and easy alignment of the shaft. The present invention is directed to a machine which will allow drive shafts having different configurations to be quickly and easily disassembled, aligned and/or assembled.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an anti-theft device and in particular, to a device which covers so as to obscure and secure all or part of the console of an automobile near the gear shift lever and all or part of an automobile radio, tape deck, CB radio or scanner, when such are mounted in the console or central area of the dashboard. The device of the present invention has a contoured shield. The sides of the shield are provided with rails contoured to engage the console and extend around the console. A protrusion is positioned in the shield and so configured as to accept the gear shift lever when the shield is positioned over the console. A means for locking the shield around the gear shift lever is provided. It is preferred that means be provided to positively attaches the shield to the dashboard.

Abstract: Connectors which are essentially, by weight, 85% to 93% copper, with silicon in the amount of 1.5% to 2.5% is disclosed. The balance of the material is zinc, desirably in the range of 5% to 12%. Trace elements of tin, lead and aluminum can be tolerated but should be minimized to less than 0.05%. Ideally the material is 81% to 91% copper, 1.75% to 2.4% silicon and the balance zinc of 6% to 10%. The traces may be 0.05% tin, 0.01% lead, and 0.005% aluminum.

Abstract: This invention relates to a copper base alloy with improved toughness and weldability for use in making molds for glass containers. The alloy of the present invention contains copper, nickel and aluminum and may have intentional additions of iron for grain refinement and niobium for increased oxidation resistance. It is felt that niobium should be added when the alloy is to be welded under adverse conditions. The nickel content sould be between about 12 and 16 wt/o and the aluminum content between about 8.5 and 11.5 wt/o. If the aluminum content is above or below the range, and/or the nickel content is near or above 16 wt/o the alloy may have excessive hardness. Iron additions for grain refinement should be up to about 1.0 wt/o. The niobium, when added to improve weldability, should be maintained between about 0.5 and 1.0 wt/o.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for increasing the wear and corrosion resistance of zirconium and zirconium alloys by ion implantation. In particular the present invention is directed to the ion implantation of nitrogen and/or carbon for the purpose of increasing wear resistance; and the ion implantation of arsenic, carbon, chromium, nitrogen, tin, phosphorus or combinations thereof for the purpose of increasing the corrosion resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing widgets from components and/or particulate; and to a can for containing such components and/or particulate during the consolidation into widgets. The method of the present invention can be used to form widgets from metals, ceramics, plastics, polymers, and/or combinations thereof. The materials used to form the widgets can be in the form of particulate, pellets, shard, and/or ribbon. The method of the present invention can also be used to join widgets and/or to heal ingot cracks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a grill comprising one or more acoustic shells to be used in combination with conventional acoustic speakers. The speaker grill of the present invention in it simplest form is an acoustic shell which serves to focus the acoustic emissions generated by the speaker. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the speaker grill is constructed of a series of acoustic shells. The different acoustic shells may focus different portions of the acoustic spectrum. The speaker grill of the present invention has particular use with an automobile speaker. The speaker grill of the present invention can be used in any listening area and has particular application to small environments, environments having spacial restriction, critical listening environments such as recording studios, and environments which utilize sound reinforcement systems.

Abstract: The shoulder brace of the present invention limits motion of the shoulder. The brace is comprised of a body belt, two arm belts and a resilient belt. The body belt is fastened about the torso. The first arm belt attaches about the upper arm while the second arm belt attaches about the fore arm. The resilient belt has a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the body belt. Means are provided for connecting the second end of the resilient belt to the first arm belt and the second arm belt. Thus the resilient belt provides feedback when movement of the arm away from the torso is approaching the limit of movement permitted by the brace. If adjustment means to the resilient belt, such as a buckle, are provided it is possible to vary the range of permitted movement of the arm with respect to the torso.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparel which can be worn during breakdancing as an aid to the dancer in performing the breakdance movements and for distributing impact and torsional loads encountered by the dancer during the breakdance. The breakdance apparel of the present invention in its simplest form is apparel in which those portions of the apparel which contact the support structure have a relatively low coefficient of friction. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the apparel is provided with resilient regions having an external surface with a relatively low coefficient of friction. In one embodiment the breakdance apparel of the present invention may be in the form of a jacket, jump suit or vest which has been provided with elements having a relatively low coefficient of friction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved filtering vessel for filtering molten metal. The filtering vessel of the present invention is provided with a partition and fitted with a removable filter blade. The partition provides support for the removable filter blade. The removable filter blade contains a filter element. Molten metal is filtered by passing through the filter element contained in the removable filter blade. Molten metal can be made to pass through the filter element by the appropriate application of pressure to the surface of the unfiltered molten metal, by tilting the vessel in such a manner as to cause hydrostatic pressure to force unfiltered molten metal through the filter element, or by removing filtered molten metal with a ladle and thereby causing a differential hydrostatic pressure between the region of the vessel containing filtered molten metal and the region of the vessel containing unfiltered molten metal.

Abstract: The molten metal transfer crucible of the present invention filters molten metal during transfer of the molten metal to a receptacle such as a mold. The molten metal transfer crucible of the present invention is fitted with an external removable filter blade. The removable filter blade contains a filter element and is positioned with respect to an inlet in the transfer crucible such that molten metal is filtered by passing through the filter element contained in the blade while the crucible is being filled with molten metal. During operation molten metal can be intermittently back-flushed through the filter element contained in the blade. Back-flushing molten metal through the filter element extends the life of the filter element, and thereby increases the hours the transfer crucible may be operated between blade changes.

Abstract: The method of the present invention improves the density, strength and bonding of coatings which have previously been applied to substrates by prior art methods such as chemical deposition, electrochemical processed, thermal deposition, and mechanical coating. The method of the present invention subjects the coated substrate to a thermal mechanical process in the form of a compressive stress which is applied to the coating at a temperature greater than about 0.5 T.sub.i and less than T.sub.i where T.sub.i is the incipient melting temperature. The compressive stress is preferably applied through a pressure transfer medium and should be greater in magnitude than about 30 ksi. The dwell time under maximum compressive stress can be from about 0.1 second to about 10 seconds depending on the temperature of the coating, the substrate and the magnitude of the compressive stress.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing widgets from components and/or particulate; and to a can for containing such components and/or particulate during the consolidation into widgets. The method of the present invention can be used to form widgets from metals, ceramics, plastics, polymers, and/or combinations thereof. The materials used to form the widgets can be in the form of particulate, pellets, shard, and/or ribbon. The method of the present invention can also be used to join widgets and/or to heal ingot cracks.