Abstract: An ashtray apparatus comprising a container, a cap member, and a handle assembly. The container includes a base and a surround member extending from the base. The base and surround member cooperate to define a cavity having an opening. The cap member is engageable with the container. The cap member and container cover at least a portion of the opening of the container. The cap member further includes a channel extending therethrough which permits communication with the cavity of the container. The handle assembly is releasably associable with at least one of the base and the cap member so that a user can selectively utilize the handle assembly.

Abstract: An electrochromic device comprising at least one substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith, and an electrochromic medium which comprises a solvent, a cathodic material, and an anodic electrochromic material represented by the formula: wherein R1-R10 are the same or different and at least three of R1-R10 are the same or different and comprise a straight or branched alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 carbon atom(s), and/or a silyl or siloxyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 40 silicon atom(s), wherein the carbon or silicon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, one or more functional groups comprising nitrites; nitro constituents; sulfoxides; sulfonates; phosphonium constituents; phosphonates; phosphonites; ammonium constituents; viologens, including bipyridinyl constituents; carbonyls, including carbonates, carbamates; ketones; esters; and amides; ethers, inclu

Abstract: A tile edging strip comprising: a substrate engaging member, wherein the substrate engaging member is configured for engaging a primary substrate; a tile engaging member, wherein the tile engaging member is configured for engaging one or more tiles; a spacing support member, wherein the spacing support member is positioned between the substrate engaging member and the tile engaging member; and a transition member.

Abstract: A sub-assembly for use in association with an animal waste collection and disposal apparatus comprising: a retaining member, wherein the retaining member is associable with a leash, and further wherein the retaining member is configured to retain a container for collecting and disposing animal waste; and at least one fastener, wherein the at least one fastener is capable of securing the retaining member to a leash.

Abstract: Coupling of anodic electrochromic compounds by a covalent bond or a bridge link which provides for electronic communication between the coupled electrochromic compounds results in coupled electrochromic compounds which exhibit greater stability as well as electrochromic activity that differs from the monomeric electrochromic compounds. Extension of the absorption spectrum into the near-infrared region of the spectrum is frequently observed. The coupled electrochromic compounds are highly suitable for use in electrochromic media used to produce electrochromic devices.

Abstract: An electrochromic device comprising: a first glass element having an electrically conductive material associated therewith, wherein said first element comprises a height (h1), a width (w1), a thickness (t1), an inner surface, and an outer surface; a second element having an electrically conductive material associated therewith, wherein said second element comprises a height (h2), a width (w2) , and a thickness (t2), an inner surface, and an outer surface; a cell spacing (c) which comprises a distance between said inner surface of said first element and said inner surface of said second element; a gelled electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between said first and second elements; wherein (h1), (w1), (t1), (h2), (w2), (t2), and (c) are numerical values in millimeters; and wherein (h1), (w1), and (t1) of said first element, and (h2), (w2), and (t2) of said second element and (c) comprise numerical values such that the following inequality is satisfied:

Abstract: A nasal airway system.comprising a cuffed nasal airway and a nasal wand. The cuffed nasal airway includes a flexible tube, an inflatable cuff and a member for inflating the cuff. The flexible tube includes a first end and a second end, a length, and an opening extending from the first end to the second end. The length of the tube is such that upon insertion into a nasal cavity of a patient, the second end is in substantial alignment with a soft palate and a lateral pharyngeal wall of a patient. The inflatable cuff is associated with the second end of the tube. The inflating member inflates the cuff after alignment of the flexible tube in a patient to, in turn, provide a seal with the soft palate, the lateral pharyngeal wall, and the base of the tongue of the patient. The nasal wand includes a housing, a flexible wand and a fluid delivery member. The housing includes an inner chamber with a fluid.

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 a current-reducing additive, wherein the current-reducing additive comprises a polymer present in an effective concentration to materially reduce the current of the electrochromic medium upon application of an electrical potential, relative to an electrochromic medium without the current-reducing additive, while maintaining an electrochromic medium viscosity which facilitates acceptable production rates without a problematic degree of seal or other device component failure.

Abstract: A saddle tree comprising a first and a second side bar, a center bar, and a base. The first and second side bars each include a proximal and a distal end. The center bar is associated with each of the first and second side bars toward the proximal ends thereof. The base is associated with each of the first and second side bars at a second end and the center bar at a first end. The center bar is structurally configured to provide both torsional and longitudinal flexibility, to, in turn, permit the first and second side bars to move independently of each other.

Abstract: A mulch for use in association with the germination of seed comprising paper particles and corn particles. The paper and corn particles are intimately mixed into a substantially uniform mulch. The mulch may be compressed into a pellet form. Additionally, the invention includes a method of manufacturing the mulch.

Abstract: A motion control system for controlling the motion of a crawler having a left and right track. The system comprises a pivotally mounted controller; a steering control system hydraulically communicable with a pressurized fluid supply, a brake of each of a left and right track of a crawler and a clutch of each of a left and right track of a crawler, a direction control system hydraulically communicable with a pressurized fluid supply, a forward and a reverse transmission signal input, a steering speed controlling system for controlling the speed of a left track and a right track, and a transmission gear controlling system. The steering speed controlling system includes at least one selector. The transmission gear controlling system includes at least one transmission gear selector. The steering control system is positioned so that pivoting the controller in a first series of planes operates the steering control system.

Abstract: A cooling system for use in association with an engine encased within an engine compartment, having a remotely positioned cooling fan and radiator. The cooling system includes a containment member operably positioned within the engine compartment. The containment member includes an exposure opening which defines a cavity. The cooling system likewise includes a conduit associated with the containment member. The conduit includes a first end placed in fluid communication with the cavity and a second end extending outside of the engine compartment which is placed in fluid communication with the cooling fan. Circulation of the fan directs the passage of fluid from within the cavity and the conduit.

Abstract: A self-adjusting capping chuck assembly for use in association with a filler and/or capper device comprising: an outer cam having an aperture defined by an inner peripheral geometry; and a cap engaging jaw displaced within the aperture of the outer cam. The cap engaging jaw includes at least two displaceable jaw components, and a member for biasing the displaceable jaw components into a cap engaging configuration.

Abstract: A golf practice device comprising: a spring assembly, wherein the spring assembly is capable of at least partially reducing kinetic energy of an associated golf ball; a golf ball, wherein the golf ball is associated with the spring assembly; and a damper assembly, wherein the damper assembly is capable of at least partially dissipating kinetic energy of the golf ball.

Abstract: An apparatus for diagnosing automobile audio systems having a system integrity analyzer which includes speaker testing. The speaker testing includes a member for supplying an input to each of the positive and negative leads while supplying ground to the other of the positive and negative lead. This, in turn, facilitates diagnosis of the operation of the audio system of the vehicle. In addition, the apparatus comprises a system for analyzing vibrations comprising a frequency transmitter and an oscillator. The frequency transmitter is capable of transmitting a signal generated by the oscillator on a frequency that is receivable by a vehicle audio system. The oscillator includes altering the signal generated by the oscillator between the lower audible range and the upper audible range.

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 photochromic material which undergoes a change in appearance when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the UVC band provides a visual indication of the degree of sterilization achieved by a UV emitting device. The photochromic material is placed either on the UV source or in or adjacent the sample being sterilized. The photochromic material is formulated to undergo a certain degree of change in appearance when it has been exposed to a level of UV which corresponds to effective sterilization of the sample being sterilized. An optional reference card bears a color or opacity reference for comparison with the exposed photochromic material.

Abstract: A medical dressing assembly and associated method of using the same comprising an isolating member, a member for controllably inputting matter and a member for controllably exhausting matter. The isolating member is capable of isolating an affected area of a patient from an external environment. The isolating member includes a patient engaging strap member and a cover member. The patient engaging strap member includes a bottom surface which is positionable so as to be substantially internally facing. The cover member extends away from the patient engaging member. The cover member defines a volume wherein the patient engaging strap member provides access to the volume. The bottom surface of the at least one patient engaging strap member is capable of engaging a portion of the patient, to, in turn, substantially confine at least a portion of the affected area of a patient within the volume defined by the cover member. The member for controllably inputting matter controllably inputs matter into the volume.

Abstract: An electrochromic device is disclosed having a self-cleaning, hydrophilic optical coating. The electrochromic device preferably forms an external rearview mirror for a vehicle. The coating preferably includes alternating layers of a photocatalytic material having a high index of refraction and a hydrophilic material having a low refractive index. More specifically, the coating includes a first layer having a high refractive index, a second layer having a low refractive index, a third layer of titanium dioxide, and a fourth layer of silicon dioxide provided as an outermost layer. The disclosed optical coating exhibits a reflectance at the front surface of the reflective element that is less than about 20 percent, and has sufficient hydrophilic properties such that water droplets on a front surface of the optical coating exhibit a contact angle of less than about 20°.