Abstract: A toothbrush with bristles containing a far-infrared emitting material and multi-element minerals is disclosed. The negative ions and radiation emitted from the bristles stimulate the cells of the gums and help prevent periodontal conditions.

Abstract: A bicycle control device is disclosed having a control lever that is operable in a first direction to operate the brake control mechanism, a second direction to operate the shift control mechanism in the pulling direction and a third direction to operate the shift control mechanism in the release direction. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, when viewed from the perspective of a rider on the bicycle, the first direction is the direction of movement of the lever toward the handlebar. The second direction is the direction of movement of the control lever downward and the third direction is the direction of movement of the control lever upward. In a more preferred embodiment, the second and third directions are perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, composite constructions of the invention are in the form of a plurality of coated fibers bundled together to produce a fibrous composite construction in the form of a rod. Each fiber has a core formed from a hard phase material, that is surrounded by a shell formed from a binder phase material. In another embodiment of the invention, monolithic sheets of the hard phase material and the binder phase material are stacked and arranged to produce a swirled composite in the form of a rod. In still another embodiment of the invention, sheets formed from coated fibers are arranged to produce a swirled composite. Inserts for use in such drilling applications as roller cone rock bits and percussion hammer bits, and shear cutters for use in such drilling applications as drag bits, that are manufactured using conventional methods from these composite constructions exhibit increased fracture toughness due to the continuous binder phase around the hard phase of the composites.

Abstract: A tilt sensor having a printed circuit board disposed in a direction normal to a reference plane for measuring a tilt angle with a pair of electrodes formed on a first surface of the printed circuit board. A cover is affixed to the printed circuit board and creates a cavity between the cover and the printed circuit board with a predetermined gap between the cover and the pair of electrodes, the cover acting as a common electrode to the pair of electrodes to create a pair of capacitors. An inert liquid is contained in the cavity, the surface level of the inert fluid varying according to the tilt angle of the reference plane. A signal processing circuit is formed on a second surface of the printed circuit board that produces an output signal corresponding to a difference in capacitance between the two capacitors as a tilt angle detection output.

Abstract: A fuel tank module control system configured to measure fuel level and fuel tank vapor pressure, the system having an aspirator to use air or liquid fuel to vapor, an oscillator cyclically producing pressurized vapor, and a pressure sensor that alternately measures the pressurized vapor provided by the oscillator and the pressure of a fuel column. A check valve is provided downstream of the sensor to restrict the flow of vapor in a single direction. To determine the fuel level, the differential of the square wave output of the sensor is calculated. To determine if there are any leaks in the fuel tank, the tank vapor pressure is measured when the engine is off.

Abstract: Composite constructions comprise a plurality of granules that are arranged together in a randomly-oriented manner. The granules each comprise an ordered arrangement of a first material phase and a second material phase, wherein the first and second material phases are each continuous, and each occupy different and distinct regions of the granule. At least a portion of the first and second material phases of each granule are in contact with one another. The first material phase comprises a material selected from the group consisting of cermet materials, polycrystalline diamond, polycrystalline cubic boron nitride, and mixtures thereof. The second material phase comprises a material that is relatively softer, e.g., more ductile, than the first material phase.

Abstract: A rotary cone bit, having a functionally-engineered surface of this invention, comprises a bit body having at least one leg extending therefrom, and a cone that is rotatably disposed on the leg. The cone typically comprises a plurality of cutting elements that project outwardly therefrom. The cutting elements comprises a cermet material selected from the group consisting of refractory metal carbides, nitrides, borides, carbonitrides and mixtures thereof. A functionally-engineered material is disposed over a surface portion of at least one of the cutting elements to form a wear resistant surface thereon. The wear resistant surface has a hardness that is different than that of the underlying cutting element. The wear resistant surface is provided by forming a conformable material mixture by combining one or more powders selected from the group consisting of cermets, carbides, borides, nitrides, carbonitrides, refractory metals, Co, Fe, Ni, and combinations thereof, with an applying agent.

Abstract: Ordered elastomeric composites comprise an ordered arrangement of a number of first elastomeric phases distributed uniformly within a continuous matrix second elastomeric phase. The second phase can be formed from an elastomeric material that is relatively harder than an elastomeric material that is used to form the first phases. Each first phase can be in the form of a core having a defined length and diameter, and the second phase can be formed from a number of shells that each surround a respective core. In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement of cores and shells are aligned coaxially with one another to provide a cellular structure. Ordered elastomeric composites of this invention can be used to form part of or an entire elastomeric seal, e.g., in the form of an annular ring adapted for use in a rotary cone drill bit.

Abstract: Enclosed rotisserie with added convenience, including a countertop resting box-like enclosure housing a safety rear mounted heating element and a power rotated dual rod spit assembly. The gear driven spit assembly may be easily inserted and removed straight into and out of the enclosure without need for angling or coupling the assembly to a power drive socket. The spit assembly may also be mounted at various distances from the heating element to decrease cooking times. The open front of the enclosure is from time to time covered by an inclined glass panel door which may be opened in various ways to facilitate food insertion into and removal from the enclosure, and which may be easily removed for cleaning or other purposes. The embodiment's design makes efficient use of valuable counter space by recessing back and raising off the countertop its controls.

Abstract: A support base for supporting the spit assembly of a rotisserie oven. The support base includes a substantially circular-shaped member having a periphery and an indented portion defined therein. The indented portion has a frustum-conical shape and extends downwardly into the substantially circular-shaped member, and the substantially circular-shaped member has an opening for receiving the stub axle of a spit assembly defined therein.

Abstract: A shift control device is described. The shift control device is attachable to the handlebar of a bicycle for controlling the piston of a hydraulic shift mechanism and includes a bracket attachable to the handlebar, a pivot shaft, a rotating member, and a control lever. The pivot shaft is spaced apart from the handlebar and fixedly secured to the bracket. The rotating member is rotatable in a first direction and a second direction about the pivot shaft. The control lever is operatively connected with the rotating member and biased in a neutral position.

Abstract: Acoustic volume indicators for determining liquid or gas volume within a container comprise a contactor to vibrate a container wall, a detector to receive vibration data from the container wall, a processor to convert vibration data to frequency information and compare the frequency information to characteristic container frequency vs. volume data to obtain the measured volume, and an indicator for displaying the measured volume. The processor may comprise a microprocessor disposed within a housing having lights that each represent a particular volume. The microprocessor is calibrated to provide an output signal to a light that indicates the container volume. The processor may comprise a computer and computer program that converts the data to frequency information, analyzes the frequency information to identify a peak frequency, compares the peak frequency to the characteristic frequency vs. volume data to determine the measured volume, and displays the measured volume on a video monitor.

Abstract: Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) carbide composites of this invention have a microstructure comprising a plurality of granules formed from PCD, polycrystalline cubic boron nitride, or mixture thereof, that are distributed within a substantially continuous second matrix region that substantially surrounds the granules and that is formed from a cermet material. In an example embodiment, the granules are polycrystalline diamond and the cermet material is cemented tungsten carbide. PCD carbide composites of this invention display improved properties of fracture toughness and chipping resistance, without substantially compromising wear resistance, when compared to conventional pure PCD materials.

Abstract: A label applicator kit comprising a holder including first holding means for holding a first set of tabbed materials such that the tabs of the first set are staggered, exposed and in a first line and a second holding means for holding a second set of tabbed materials such that the tabs of the second set are staggered, exposed and in a second line that is parallel to and spaced from the first line. The holder being a pouch, the first holding means being a first pocket of the pouch and the second holding means being a second pocket of the pouch. The pouch being in a sets-holding condition when the first holding means is holding the first set and the second holding means is holding the second set.