Abstract: The apparatus includes at least two skin-contacting elements, the elements having narrow end faces and a mounting assembly for holding the elements closely adjacent to each other. A driving assembly reciprocally moves one element relative to the adjacent element(s) at a frequency that produces an action on the pores of the skin to loosen sebaceous plugs present in the pores, by permitting their ready removal from the skin.

Abstract: The trading card/video game system includes a conventional video game control system for a selected video game involving a number of different characters. The video game control system controls a monitor/screen for displaying the playing of the game. Trading cards are selected by the individual players for playing of the game. Each trading card is a character having selected characteristics and abilities, or a specialty card which affects the characters in the game or the conditions of the game, including the rules. The individual selected trading cards are scanned and the information associated with the trading cards is downloaded from a website database to which the system is connected via the internet to the software control system portion of the system. The website has a number of capabilities with respect to the individual trading cards, including verification of authenticity and ownership of the cards and a capability of assisting in the trading, temporary use, sale or acquisition of trading cards.

Abstract: 3-D structures which are fabricated by gray-tone exposure of a class of thick negative photo-sensitized epoxy resists from the substrate side of a transparent substrate, using development methods that rely upon a physical distinction between polymerized (solid) and unpolymerized (liquid) photoresist at elevated temperatures Such structures may exhibit smoothly-varying topographic features with thicknesses as great as 2 mm.

Abstract: A refrigeration system/cycle includes two or more refrigeration stages, in which one or more of the warmer stages provide(s) cooling to partially compensate for heat leakage that would otherwise leak to the colder stage(s). The refrigeration system includes a single heat sink or multiple heat sinks. The refrigeration cycle can include a single cooling load or multiple cooling loads. The refrigeration system can be a cryogenic refrigeration cycle. The flow of working fluid can be DC (direct-current, continuous and uni-directional) or AC (alternating-current and oscillating). The refrigeration system can include Double-Cycle cooling action. The refrigeration system can include one (or more) thermal storage unit(s) (TSUs).

Abstract: The toy rocket launcher includes an elongated launch tube and a pusher assembly which slides inside the launch tube in an air-tight relationship. A launch head assembly is rotatably mounted on a forward end of the launch tube and has a plurality of launch ports for receiving toy rockets. The forward end of the launch tube assembly includes a small opening which mates with one of a plurality of air passageways in the launch head assembly. Each air passageway connects with a different launch port. As the head assembly is rotated by hand on the launch tube, a flow of air from the launch tube produced by user action on the pusher assembly is directed to successive launch ports, thereby launching successive toy rockets from the launch head assembly.

Abstract: The acne treatment devices use an array of LEDs, which emit monochromatic light substantially at a wavelength of 405 nanometers, which is coincident with the peak absorbance of light by acne porphyrins. The emitted light is directed from the light source to an acne area of the skin. The device can either be hand-held, with the LEDs mounted on a handle portion, or an LED can be mounted on a patch-like mounting element, which is adapted to be secured to the skin for longer exposure at less intensity.

Abstract: The pillow kit cover member, which includes substantially identical top and bottom portions, each of which includes inner and outer layers. The top and bottom portions are secured around the peripheries thereof, except for one side, which includes a zipper or similar element for opening and closing the pillow. The pillow includes an interior chamber assembly, which comprises baffle members which extend between the inner layers of the top and bottom portions, defining individual chambers which extend the length of the pillow. Filling is provided within the pillow chamber, as well as a plurality of inserts, having various fillings, which are selectively insertable into and removable from the pillow chambers. Different combinations of inserts vary the support characteristics of the pillow.

Abstract: The pillow includes a pillow body with an upper curved member which includes a first convex curved portion which extends along the length of the upper surface of the pillow near the back edge of the pillow and a second convex curved portion which parallels the first curved portion and extends along the upper surface of the pillow near the front edge of the pillow. A concave curved portion extends between and joins the first and second convex curved portions. The height of the first convex curved portion is greater than the height of the second convex curved portion. A plurality of interior baffle walls extend lengthwise of the pillow, spaced and located so as to maintain the contour of the pillow when the pillow is filled with natural and/or synthetic filling.

Abstract: A system which includes at least one ultrasound data collection device which is programmable to carry out a specific ultrasound procedure on a selected part of a human body of a patient. The resulting ultrasound data is transmitted via a local server at the site of the data collection device to the internet and from there to a web database server which processes the raw ultrasound data and provides application-specific information, such as a three-dimensional model, which can be used for diagnostic interpretation of the body part imaged by the ultrasound suitable for use in the treatment of the patient.

Abstract: The motor assembly which produces an oscillating action for a personal care device includes a horizontally positioned U-shaped stator portion, and an armature portion which includes a torsion spring shaft which is anchored at one end thereof. The armature portion also includes a U-shaped magnet mounting member which is fixed near the upper end of the spring shaft, the U-shaped member including two opposing legs which extend along a substantial part of the length of the spring shaft, away therefrom. At the tips of each leg are magnet assemblies, which interact with the stator portion in alternating torsion, to produce a back-and-forth oscillation of the armature and a brushhead or other workpiece attached thereto.

Abstract: The multi-layer pillow includes an upper layer which includes at least two chambers in addition to a center chamber and a lower layer which includes at least three chambers arranged laterally side-by-side. The first and second layers have approximately the same outline and are secured together around the peripheries thereof. There is filling in at least the three chambers of the lower layer and in at least the two chambers of the upper layer, with no filling in the center chamber of the upper layer.

Abstract: The system includes a capsule member made from a material which is not dissolvable in water but is dissolvable in the digestive fluids of a predator species. The capsule contains a material which, following ingestion by a predator (game/sport) species, results in death of the predator species. A connecting member is secured to the capsule, and is adapted to be secured to a prey (bait) species such that when the prey species is released in a body of water, such as a lake, in the vicinity of the predator species, the predator species is likely to consume the prey species along with the capsule and shortly thereafter dies, thereby reducing the number of predator species.

Abstract: The thermal management system includes: one or more heat acceptors which remove heat from one or more warm temperature heat sources; one or more absorption heat pumps, which use the heat removed from the warm temperature heat sources to generate either refrigeration or heating; a transfer system, such as a generator pumped liquid loop, for moving heat from the warm temperature heat sources to the absorption heat pumps; a transfer system, such as an absorber pumped liquid loop, for directing heat from the absorption heat pumps to one or more heat sink(s) at one or more temperatures if the absorption heat pumps are generating refrigeration; a transfer system, such as an evaporator pumped liquid loop, for directing heat from one or more cool temperature heat sources, at one or more temperatures, to the absorption heat pump(s) if the absorption heat pump(s) are operating generating heating; a transfer system, such as an evaporator pumped liquid loop, for directing heat from one or more cooling loads to the absorp

Abstract: The dual probe assembly is used with a printed circuit board test apparatus. It includes a first, satellite test probe holder for a first, satellite test probe and a motor for rotating the first test probe holder. It further includes a second, main test probe holder for a second, main test probe and a motor for moving the second test probe holder. The first test probe holder can move without affecting the position of the second test probe, while the second test probe holder is connected to the first test probe holder in such a manner that movement of the second test probe holder moves the first test probe holder, wherein both a selected distance between the two test probes and a selected angular orientation therebetween can be achieved.

Abstract: The bedding article includes three fabric sections having approximately the same size and positioned in registry. Two fabric baffle strips extend in one dimension between and connected to upper and middle fabric sections, defining three interior chambers therebetween. Two fabric baffle strips extend in a dimension perpendicular to the dimension between and connected to the lower and middle fabric sections, also defining three chambers therebetween. Loose filling is placed into all of the chambers defined by the baffle strips.

Abstract: The method includes the step of forming a solid epoxy member on a substrate, the epoxy member having an upper surface of desired configuration. A first metal layer is deposited on the epoxy member with the upper surface thereof conforming to the desired configuration. A layer of epoxy is deposited on the first metal layer and epoxy material from the epoxy layer is removed to create a well, exposing the metal layer on the epoxy member. A metal impression layer is then deposited in the well. The metal impression layer is then removed from the well and affixed to a mounting member as a mold component for injection molding of small structures.

Abstract: The valve includes a supply portion, a delivery portion and an intermediate fluid chamber; a poppet member is positioned within the fluid chamber and is adapted to move within the chamber, the poppet including a conical seating surface and a rim portion, the rim portion having openings therethrough into the open interior of the poppet, allowing for forward fluid flow through the poppet. A delivery poppet seat and a supply poppet seat are defined at opposite ends of the fluid chamber. The delivery poppet seat is configured so that when the rim portion of the poppet contacts the delivery seat, fluid flow in the forward direction is permitted. The supply poppet seat is configured such that when the conical seating surface of the poppet member contacts the supply poppet seat, backflow through the valve is substantially prevented.

Abstract: The formulation includes a combination of a chalcone, specifically, methylhydroxychalcone polymer, in the amount of 6 mg to 24 mg, and chromium, in the amount of 500 mcg to 2000 mcg. The formulation also includes a plurality of vitamins and nutrients, vitamins B6, C, E and K including green tea polyphenols and other nutrients.