Abstract: A modular board game apparatus has a segmental playing surface comprising pairs of segments which are variously configured to provides a surface whose shape and playing area may be changed according to the requirements of a particular game. The segments facilitate versions of games normally only played between two players (such as chess and draughts) to be played by two, three or four people (Configurations II, III and IV). The board shapes described are each proportional in area to the number of players, are symmetrical, and may be variously patterned (6,7). A preferred embodiment comprising eight quadrilateral segments (3) that may be arranged in differing orientations, assembled and secured about a central point by means of a restraining ring (2) is illustrated. Segment sets comprising variously shaped segments of differing thickness can be assembled to simulate undulating terrain.

Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in a normally operating electrochromic device comprising an anodic material and a cathodic material wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic, an additive, and means associated with the additive for maintaining a colorless or nearly colorless electrochromic medium while the electrochromic medium is in a high transmission state relative to an electrochromic medium without the additive.

Abstract: A frameless chair comprising: a flexible, substantially spherical outer liner, wherein the outer liner is at least partially gas permeable, and a plurality of polyurethane foam pieces retained within the outer liner.

Abstract: A substantially spherical frameless chair comprising an at least partially gas permeable outer liner, an at least partially gas permeable inner liner positioned inside of the outer liner, and a plurality of polyurethane foam pieces having a density between approximately 1.0 and approximately 3.0 pounds per cubic foot retained within the inner liner. The outer liner includes a first end component having a substantially circular peripheral geometry, a second end component having a substantially circular peripheral geometry, and an intermediate component having a substantially rectangular peripherical geometry wherein the first and second end components are secured to the intermediate component to, in turn, form a substantially spherical outer liner.

Abstract: A separator assembly for separating a container from a web of at least two containers, comprising a frame member, a clamp and a clamp actuator. The frame includes a base. The clamp is associated with the frame member. The clamp includes a lower surface defined by at least two legs and a slot positioned therebetween to, in turn, facilitate the clamping of a portion of a web of at least two containers relative to the base. The clamp actuator is associated with each of the at least one clamp and the frame. The at least one clamp actuator is capable of selectively moving the at least two legs and the slot of the lower surface of the at least one clamp relative to the frame, to, in turn, releasably clamp a portion of a web of at least two containers between the base and the at least two legs.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating workpieces comprises a treatment chamber enclosing a treatment zone for workpieces. A conveyor guides workpieces through the chamber. Said conveyor comprises drive elements located outside the chamber, and a carrier arm, extending through a slot along the conveyor's path of motion, in a wall of the chamber. A sealing arrangement comprises a first set of spring strips, which overlap laterally and are attached on one side of the slot to the wall, and an opposing second set of spring strips attached on the other side of the slot to the wall. In a resting position, the end zones of the spring strips overlap. Two deflecting devices, which move together with the carrier arm by the conveyor, open the sealing arrangement proximate the carrier arm by resiliently bending apart the spring strips. After passage of the carrier arm, the spring strips return to a sealing position.

Abstract: A starch-based corrugating adhesive composition comprising: at least one solvent; a carrier starch dispersed within the at least one solvent, wherein the carrier starch is undried; a raw starch dispersed within the at least one solvent; and wherein the starch-based corrugating adhesive composition comprises a pH of greater than approximately 7.

Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device comprising: at least one solvent; an anodic electroactive material; a cathodic electroactive material; wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is associated with a diffusion coefficient controlling moiety which serves to lower the diffusion coefficient of the associated material relative to the same without the diffusion coefficient controlling moiety.

Abstract: An electrochromic device comprising: a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; and an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises: at least one solvent; an anodic material; a cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic, and wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is slow-diffusing; and an electron shuttle, wherein the electron shuttle serves to decrease switching time of the electrochromic device relative to the same without the electron shuttle.

Abstract: An electrochromic device comprising: (a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which comprises: (1) a solvent; (2) a cathodic electroactive material; (3) an anodic electroactive material, wherein at least one of the anodic and cathodic electroactive materials is electrochromic; and (4) a color-stabilizing additive, wherein the color-stabilizing additive is electroactive within a normal operating voltage of the electrochromic device; and (d) means associated with the color-stabilizing additive for maintaining an at least nearly colorless electrochromic device while the electrochromic device is in an open circuit and/or zero potential state relative to the same device without the color-stabilizing additive.

Abstract: A standup bags made of a flexible material and methods of producing these standup bags. In particular, the standup bags have at least one substantially flat surface which is free of seams and folds. When the bag is filled with a flowable substance, the pressure exerted by the fluid upon the flat surfaces allows the bag to be self-standing. Additionally, the standup includes at least one contour structure that defines the geometry of the bag and also contributes to the standup bag's ability to be self-standing when even partially filled with a flowable substance.

Abstract: A locking assembly for securing an object to a wall comprising a sleeve, a fastening assembly and a lock. The sleeve includes a body, an axial bore and an opening through the body. The axial bore includes a internal fastener assembly contact surface. The fastening assembly is capable of extending through the sleeve and into engagement with a wall, and includes a collar and a threaded fastener. The collar includes an axial bore mating surface. The threaded fastener includes a tool engagement region and a wall engagement region. The lock includes a portion which is positionable through the at least one opening in the body. The internal fastener assembly contact surface and the axial bore mating surface interface to facilitate rotative and pivotable relative movement of the sleeve and the fastening assembly. In turn, the retained movement of the fastening assembly with rotation of the sleeve is precluded.

Abstract: Electrochromic compositions suitable for use in electrochromic media in electrochromic devices contain minimally two electrochromic compounds of the same redox type, whose redox potentials are greater than 30 mV. The lower redox potential electrochromic compounds makes a large contribution to the absorbancy of the electrochromic medium despite being present in only minor concentration.

Abstract: A filler device sub-assembly comprising: a first cap gripping arm and a second cap gripping arm, wherein each of the first and second cap gripping arms include a second end, and wherein the second ends of the first and second cap gripping arms cooperatively define a cap retaining region; a pivot opening associated with each of the first and second cap gripping arms, wherein the first and second cap gripping arms are pivotable about the pivot opening; and means for guiding a cap into the cap retaining region, wherein the cap guiding means facilitates outward pivoting of at least one of the first and second cap gripping arms by a cap which results in directing a cap into the retaining region toward retention thereof.

Abstract: A medical dressing assembly and associated method of using the same, comprising: isolating an affected area of a patient from an external environment, wherein placement of the isolation defines a volume surrounding at least a portion of the affected area of the patient; for controllably inputting matter into the volume; and for controllably exhausting matter from the volume.

Abstract: A ride control system comprising a member for substantially equalizing pressure and ride valve having three positions, namely, a first inactive position, a second active position and an intermediate equalizing position. The substantial pressure equalizing member equalizing the pressure within the head side of at least one boom cylinder with an accumulator. The inactive position corresponding to one in which the ride valve assembly maintains isolation between the accumulator and at least one boom cylinder. The active position corresponding to one in which the ride valve assembly places the accumulator and at least one boom cylinder in communication with each other. The intermediate position corresponding to one in which the ride valve assembly maintains isolation between the accumulator and at least one boom cylinder and facilitates the activation of the substantial equalizing means.

Abstract: An arcuately displaceable privacy screen assembly, comprising: (a) a frame sub-assembly having an internal aperture contained therein, wherein at least a portion of the internal aperture is covered with a privacy screen; and (b) at least two ground engaging wheels associated with the frame sub-assembly, wherein the at least two ground engaging wheels controllably direct displacement of the privacy screen in an arcuate path of travel.

Abstract: A beverage bauble comprising: (a) a glassware engaging member associable with a piece of beverage glassware, wherein the glassware engaging member comprises: (1) a primary aperture, wherein the primary aperture is releasably securable around a portion of the piece of beverage glassware; and (2) at least one structural configuration which releasably secures the glassware engaging member to the piece of beverage glassware; and (b) a primary identifier, wherein the primary identifier includes a connector which secures the primary identifier to the glassware engaging member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrochromic medium for use in an electrochromic device comprising at least one solvent, an anodic material, a cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic, and an ultraviolet stabilizing material, wherein the ultraviolet stabilizing material includes a solublizing moiety which serves to increase solubility of the ultraviolet stabilizing material relative to the same without the solublizing moiety.

Abstract: A collapsible bag for dispensing liquids which includes at least one sheet sealed to define an enclosure and a fitment (spout) attached to the enclosure and out through which liquid in the enclosure is dispensed. An interior surface of the one or more sheets has integral texture to assist in withdrawal of the liquid from the enclosure when collapsed. The texture can be provided by sheet surfaces that are mechanically or ultrasonically embossed or are bubble-cushioned or which have sealed pleats or accordion folds. The bottom surface of a lower flange of the fitment may have concentric ridges (or spirals) and/or radial grooves. Also disclosed are methods of making the bag from one, two, three or four sheets.