Abstract: The present invention is an article dispenser comprising an alarm reminder device having an alarm, a clock and resettable electronic circuitry means for controlling the alarm and the clock, a medicine cup, a substantially hollow housing having a base attached to the alarm reminder device, the housing rotatably coupled to the base, the base having a means for transferring medicine including a pill slide formed therethrough and a foundation having an orifice formed therein adjacent to and below the pill slide, the aperture sized to receive the medicine retainer cup in a secure relationship, and electromechanical circuitry means for controlling the electronic circuitry means disposed upon the exterior surface of the base within the orifice, the electromechanical circuitry means for controlling in electrical communication with the electronic circuitry means, the medicine cup engaging the electromechanical circuitry means for controlling when the cup is disposed within the aperture, the three-way switch being dise

Abstract: An apparatus and method for discrete soil gas and saturated liquid permeability measurements with direct push emplacement systems (such as a cone penetrometer rod). A modified direct push emplacement system having at least one injection port and at least two measurement ports is first engaged to penetrate the soil to a predetermined depth. Gas or liquid is then injected into the soil at a predetermined location on the penetrometer rod. Next, a pressure response is recorded from each measurement port, which is at a known distance from the injection port (on the same penetrometer rod). This differential pressure response data allows calculation of the soil permeability directly by using a one-dimensional, spherical, steady state, porous flow model to measure the effective permeability of the soil, without substantial disturbance of the surrounding soil. The present invention minimizes false indications of reduced permeability as a result of soil compaction during the penetrometer emplacement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved investment powders for use in making improved investment molds for casting metals, and the use of such molds with vacuum and/or either conventional, convection conduction or microwave heating apparatus, to rapidly eliminate water, wax and residual carbon from the mold cavities at temperatures lower than the casting temperature range of the mold at the time of casting.

Abstract: A device fabricated to redirect electromagnetic signals, the device including a primary driver adapted to provide a predetermined force, a linkage system coupled to the primary driver, a pusher rod rotationally coupled to the linkage system, a flexible rod element attached to the pusher rod and adapted to buckle upon the application of the predetermined force, and a mirror structure attached to the flexible rod element at one end and to the substrate at another end. When the predetermined force buckles the flexible rod element, the mirror structure and the flexible rod element both move to thereby allow a remotely-located electromagnetic signal directed towards the device to be redirected.

Abstract: The present invention is a progressive gaming device conceptually similar to a conventional roulette game. The present invention comprises a modified roulette wheel on a gaming table, a lighted display panel adjacent to the roulette wheel and built into the gaming table, a display unit at the head of the gaming table, a microcomputer and a key pad. When played, the present invention allows up to seven players to play. Play is effectuated under special rules, where a modified roulette wheel is spun by the croupier and three ivory balls are spun in a direction opposite the wheel's direction. When all balls fall into slots on the wheel, this information is sent to a nearby microcomputer for display on several display units, thereby allowing a croupier to determine payout and/or the progressive jackpot. The jackpot is progressive in that a percentage of every wager bet is placed back into the jackpot for availability during the next game.

Abstract: A foldable carrier for transporting a plurality of food or beverage containers, including (a) a handle portion having at least one slot formed therein; (b) a first panel having at least a first elliptical opening therein; (c) a second panel having at least a second elliptical opening therein; (d) a flexible connection between the handle portion and the first and second panels which permits the handle portion to be moved between a position where the handle portion is perpendicular to the first and second panels and a position where the handle portion is substantially parallel with one of the first and second panels; (e) a third panel with third and fourth elliptical openings and resulting in perpendicular alignment between the first and third, and second and fourth elliptical openings, which connects both the first and second cup supporting panels and limits movement of the first panel towards the second panel when food or drink containers are placed in and carried by the first and second openings; and (f) a l

Abstract: A millimeter-sized machine, including electromagnetic circuits adapted to convert electromagnetic energy to mechanical energy, for engaging and operating external mechanical loads. A plurality of millimeter-sized magnetic actuators operate out of phase with each other to control a plurality of millimeter-sized structural elements to drive an external mechanical load. Each actuator is connected to a link. Each link, in turn, is connected to a drive pinion at another similar pivoting joint. When the magnetic actuators are energized, each drive pinion is then capable of driving a larger output gear in gear-like fashion to produce positive torque about the drive pinion center at all angular positions of the output gear.

Abstract: The present invention is a soil remediation system which uses naturally occurring barometric pressure oscillations to remediate volatile contamination in the vadose zone. By applying a surface seal, a collection plenum and a unidirectional gas relief valve to the soil surface above the contaminant plume, the present invention induces a net upward soil gas velocity in the contaminated soil. The sinusoidal velocity of the soil gas is rectified by the present invention to eliminate or minimize its downward velocity component and allow a normal upward velocity component. The resulting net upward velocity sweeps contaminant vapors from the source, releasing them up to the atmosphere through the gas relief valve in small concentrations. This process is regular and steady, and is accomplished without the use of ground bore holes, off-gas treatment or onsite power.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus capable of sampling enclosed containers, where the contents of the container is unknown. The invention includes a compressed air device capable of supplying air pressure, device for controlling the amount of air pressure applied, a pneumatic valve, a sampling device having a hollow, sampling insertion needle suspended therein and device to communicate fluid flow between the container and a containment vessel, pump or direct reading instrument.

Abstract: A bottomless foldable carrier for transporting a plurality of food or beverage containers, including (a) a handle portion; (b) a first cup supporting panel having at least a first elliptical opening therein; (c) a second cup supporting panel having at least a second elliptical opening therein; (d) a flexible connection between the handle portion and the first and second cup supporting panels which permits the handle portion to be moved between a position where the handle portion is perpendicular to the first and second panels and a position where the handle portion is substantially parallel with one of the first and second panels; and (e) a third panel with third and fourth elliptical openings, which connects both the first and second cup supporting panels, limits movement of the first cup supporting panel towards the second cup supporting panel when beverage containers are placed in and carried by the first and second openings, and allows perpendicular alignment between the first and third, and second and fo

Abstract: The present invention discloses catheter tube retaining devices having a disk rotatably coupled to the base, and a strap (or equivalent) for attaching such a device to the human body. The disk is capable of rotation relative to the base through at least a 90 degree arc. Further, the disk has formed upon a top surface at least one U-shaped retaining channel or groove of sufficient diameter as to retain a catheter tube in interference fit, without restricting the passage of fluid through such tube. Preferably, at least one pair of opposing tabs (or equivalent) protrude over the retaining channel to assist in the retention of the catheter tube. The disk can accommodate four channels, for different sizes of catheter tubes.

Abstract: This invention provides a fixed or portable non-lethal laser security device and method for use of such device as a non-damaging weapon and security system to provides warning and visual impairment upon an intruder. At a predetermined laser wavelength and intensity, this invention utilizes laser light in the visible portion of the wavelength spectrum to create temporary visual impairment, hesitation, delay, distraction, and reductions in combat and functional effectiveness through the effects of glare, flashblind, and psychological impact. The preferred embodiment of the laser security device in the present invention involves the use of laser technology with a remotely operated security system.

Abstract: A system for characterizing contamination or integrity information from within a pipe, including a flexible tubular membrane which is extendable within the pipe and inflatable to a diameter effective to urge the tubular membrane against the rigid wall. The tubular membrane has a first end and a second end, and is initially rolled up and connected to a reel inside of a deployment system. A tether connects the deployment system to a characterization tool retained within the tubular membrane, which is attached adjacent to the second end of the tubular membrane. When the system is engaged, pressurized fluid enters the tubular membrane causing the membrane to invert and distend into and through the pipe's interior.

Abstract: A scalp scrubber for insertion between the scalp of a human head and an artificial hair piece attached to the scalp along at least a portion of the perimeter of the hair piece. The scrubber includes a handle portion having a free end and a scrubber head portion attached to the opposite end of the handle portion. The head portion, which is wide and flat, also includes a plurality of flexible teeth having rounded exposed tips. The teeth are no longer than approximately 3/16 of an inch, whereby the overall thickness of the scrubber head portion and teeth is no greater than 1/2 of an inch to permit easy insertion of the scrubber head portion between the human head's scalp and the hair piece without disturbing the attachment between the scalp and the hair piece. The handle and scrubber head portions may be provided with ducts to permit the passage of water during the scrubbing and cleansing process to clean the scalp and the hair piece, and warm air during the drying process to dry the scalp and the hair piece.

Abstract: A portable flash tube intensity monitoring system which includes: an internal power supply; a human eye spectral response photodiode for producing analog signals, each of which is directly proportional to the intensity of each flash from the flash tube; electronics for converting each of the analog signals to a digital time function proportional to the intensity of the corresponding flash; electronics, including a microprocessor, for monitoring the digital time function, for flagging a time function which is below a preselected minimum, for communicating status signals to a localized operator display when the time function is below the preselected minimum, and for testing of an internal power source; a fixed distance indicator which allows accurate measurement from a remote coordinate location; and an operator display. The monitoring system is preferably integrally formed for ease of use and portability.