Abstract: A method and system for examining biological materials using low-power cw excitation Raman spectroscopy. A low-power continuous wave (cw) pump laser beam and a low-power cw Stokes (or anti-Stokes) probe laser beam simultaneously illuminate a biological material and traverse the biological material in collinearity. The pump beam, whose frequency is varied, is used to induce Raman emission from the biological material. The intensity of the probe beam, whose frequency is kept constant, is monitored as it leaves the biological material. When the difference between the pump and probe excitation frequencies is equal to a Raman vibrational mode frequency of the biological material, the weak probe signal becomes amplified by one or more orders of magnitude (typically up to about 104-106) due to the Raman emission from the pump beam.

Abstract: A disk drive module is adapted to be slidably disposed within the chassis of a data storage system. The disk drive module includes a fiber channel disk drive for storing data, an upper carrier sled mounted onto the disk drive and a lower carrier sled mounted onto the disk drive. A bezel assembly is snap mounted onto the upper and lower carrier sleds. The bezel assembly includes a bezel which is capable of lateral displacement relative to the upper carrier sled, an ejector pivotally mounted onto the bezel for releasably locking the disk drive module within the chassis, and a latch for releasably locking the position of the ejector. An adaptive spring includes a first end which is mounted onto the upper carrier sled and a second end which abuts against the bezel, the adaptive spring resiliently urging the bezel away from the upper carrier sled.

Abstract: A grass and leaf catcher for use with a riding mower in the form of a large bag of flexible material, having a generally conical shape. The bag has an opening around its first end, and another at the second end. The opening at the first end is generally circular, with a drawstring to facilitate attachment around the discharge tube and hood of the mower. A cleat in proximity to the opening allows for securing the drawstring. The opening at the second end is likewise secured by a drawstring and cleat combination, or by a hook-and-loop fastener. A mesh area in the surface of the bag relieves the pressure within the bag caused by the entry of air forced up the discharge tube by the action of the cutter blades of the mower.

Abstract: A rotary switch for an electrical appliance includes a housing adapted to receive a plurality of conductive wires, a plurality of conductive terminals fixedly mounted onto the housing, an actuation shaft rotatably mounted onto the housing, and a movable contact mounted onto the actuation shaft for selectively connecting two of the conductive terminals. The housing includes a base and a cover mounted onto the base. The cover includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of inwardly tapered guide walls. Each guide wall is shaped to define a slot into which an associated conductive wire can be securely retained in electrical isolation from the remainder of conductive wires. Each guide wall has a funnel-type configuration and includes a closed end and an open end, the slot being narrower at the closed end than at the open end.

Abstract: A tamper-proof tie includes a head and an attached strap. The head is shaped to define an elongated interior channel having a strap entry end and a strap exit end. The head includes an articulating locking tang disposed to project into the interior channel. The strap includes a first end formed onto the head, a second end and an anti-tampering device integrally formed onto the second end, the anti-tampering device including a plug and a finger. In use, the strap is inserted into the interior channel so the tie forms a closed loop. As the strap is inserted into the head, the locking tang engages the anti-tampering device to prevent withdrawal of the strap from the head. With the tie formed into a closed loop, the plug is sized and shaped to substantially enclose the entry end and the finger is sized and shaped to substantially enclose the exit end.

Abstract: A garden tool for rejuvenating the soil of a garden includes a tool head and a handle pivotably mounted onto the tool head. The tool head includes a central hub and a plurality of tines which are integrally formed onto the outer periphery of the hub. Each tine extends radially outward from the outer periphery of the hub and includes an arm formed onto the hub, a sharpened tooth formed onto the free end of the arm and a pair of elongated, outwardly curved wings which are formed onto the tooth. The handle is adapted to be lockably disposed at any angle from a horizontal position to a vertical position relative to the tool head.

Abstract: A system for coupling two or more items with a plastic fastener includes a device for dispensing the plastic fastener and an anvil adapted to support the two or more items to be coupled by the plastic fastener. In one embodiment, the anvil comprises a support block and a plurality of tufts of filaments fixed to the support block. The support block is constructed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and includes a flat top surface. A plurality of holes are formed into the top surface, each hole being circular in lateral cross-section with a diameter of approximately 0.098 inches. Each hole formed in the top surface of the support block is adapted to receive a corresponding tuft of filaments. Each filament is constructed of nylon and is circular in lateral cross-section with a diameter of approximately 0.018 inches.

Abstract: A heat-transfer label assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a carrier, the carrier comprising a paper substrate overcoated with a layer of polyethylene. The polyethylene layer is overcoated with a skim coat of wax. One or more heat-transfer labels are printed onto the skim coat and are spaced apart from one another, each label comprising a protective lacquer layer printed onto the skim coat, an ink design printed onto the protective lacquer layer, and a heat-activatable adhesive layer printed over the ink design, any exposed areas of the protective lacquer layer and a surrounding area of the skim coat. The periphery of the skim coat extends beyond the periphery of the label and is, therefore, uncovered by the label. The assembly further comprises a mask deposited over the uncovered areas of the skim coat, the mask adhering to the polyethylene layer during label-transfer and preventing transfer onto an article of the previously uncovered areas of the skim coat together with the label.

Abstract: A system for localizing and correlating leaks in a pipeline includes a plurality of loggers for detecting and storing sound data, an interface unit removably connected to the plurality of loggers and a computer system removably connected to the interface unit. Each logger includes a housing and electronics disposed within the housing, the electronics comprising a microprocessor for controlling the operation of the logger, a battery source for powering the logger, a sound sensor for detecting sound data and data storage circuitry for storing sound data detected by the sound sensor. In use, the plurality of loggers are disposed along the pipeline and are programmed to record sound data. The sound data recorded by the plurality of loggers is downloaded onto the computer system which, in turn, localizes and correlates any leaks present in the pipeline.

Abstract: A tamper-proof tie includes, in one embodiment, a head and an attached strap. The head is shaped to include an elongated interior channel, an articulating locking tang, a strap limiting stop and a door activation surface. The strap includes a first end formed onto the head, a second end and a strap limiting projection disposed between the first and second ends. The portion of the strap from the first end to the strap limiting projection is in the form a flexible filament. The portion of the strap from the strap limiting projection from to the second end includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a ladder structure having a window, an anti-tampering projection formed on the top surface and a door formed on the bottom surface, the door adapted to pivot between an open position and a closed position. In use, the strap is inserted into the interior channel so the tie forms a closed loop.

Abstract: Lipid metabolic disorders, such as hyperlipidemia or hyperlipoproteinemia can be treated by administering to an afflicted individual an effective amount of 5-(1,2-dithiolan-3-yl) valeric acid (&agr;-lipoic acid) or one of its physiologically acceptable salts. Pharmaceutical compositions containing (&agr;-lipoic acid) and methods for making such compositions also are disclosed.

Abstract: Pneumatic pop-up unit for material handling equipment. In one embodiment, the unit comprises a stamped metal housing having a circumferential flange extending radially outwardly from the top. The unit also comprises a stamped metal cap comprising an outer side wall bent down across the outside edge of the flange and then radially inwardly against the bottom surface of the flange. The unit further comprises a two-piece stamped metal piston slidably mounted within the housing. The unit further comprises a stamped metal race disposed within the piston. A monolayer of ball bearings are arranged within the race. A primary ball is seated directly on top of the bearings. The top of the primary ball extends partially through the open top of the top piston piece. The unit further comprises a rubber seal fitted around the piston and a coiled spring for biasing the piston downwardly within the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the parallel and combinatory synthesis of compounds bound to a continuous polymeric solid phase supporting material. According to the method, a continuous polymeric solid phase supporting material is prepared, the material comprising a matrix of a supporting polymeric material and graft copolymer chains covalently bound to the supporting matrix, the graft copolymer chains having reactive groups being able to react with organic compounds, thereby forming spatially defined reaction sites. The method then comprises the sequential spotting of synthesis building blocks or reagents at the various reaction sites on the continuous solid phase supporting material to yield a substrate library of compounds bound to the solid phase supporting material, whereby each reaction site on the continuous solid phase supporting material determines the composition of the synthesized compound, which is bound directly on the supporting matrix via the reactive groups of the graft polymer chain.

Abstract: The disclosure directed to a distribution system for gas in gas bottles with a reservoir (3) for gas bottles (2) from which the gas bottles (2) can be removed with controlled access and/or to which the gas bottles (2) can be preferentially returned with controlled access characterised in that outside the reservoir (4) at least one filling station (12) is provided to fill the gas bottles (2) with the gas.

Abstract: A picture frame for supporting and displaying a photograph or other similar item includes a frame body having a plurality of individual frame members which are affixed together. The frame body is constructed of metal and is shaped to define a center opening in which the photograph is positioned. A transparent glass plate is mounted onto the frame body over the center opening to protect the photograph without impeding visibility. For decorative purposes, text is shaped from a soft metal and is soldered onto the frame body around the center opening. In addition, a plurality of colored glass panels are mounted onto the frame body around the center opening. Furthermore, a plurality of flowers are disposed between a pair of spaced apart glass panels which, in turn, are mounted onto the frame body around the center opening.

Abstract: A stent for reinforcement of the lumen of a peristaltic organ is formed by knitting preferably a nitinol wire into a pattern of overlapping loops selected such that from a relaxed state each row of loops may shift axially relative to and independently of the rows on either side. This local lengthening and shortening accommodate peristalsis of the organ without migrating within the organ. A stent is also shown which comprises two resilient cylindrical mesh layers and a semi-permeable compliant membrane such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, sandwiched between. The two mesh layers may be knit of a flexible filament, and the knit may be configured so that the stent can adapt to peristalsis of the body lumen. A method is also shown of manufacturing a delivery system for a resilient tubular device such as a stent so that the device can be inserted into the body in a substantially reduced diameter. The method uses a confining block having a bore and a slot leading into the bore.

Abstract: Electrochemical cell comprises, in one embodiment, a proton exchange membrane (PEM), an anode positioned along one face of the PEM, and a cathode positioned along the other face of the PEM. To enhance electrolysis, platinum catalysts are present between the anode and the PEM and between the cathode and the PEM. A multi-layer metal screen for defining a first fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the anode, and an electrically-conductive, spring-like, porous pad for defining a second fluid cavity is placed in contact with the outer face of the cathode. The porous pad comprises a mat of carbon fibers having a density of about 0.2-0.55 g/cm3. Cell frames are placed in peripheral contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for peripherally containing fluids present therewithin. Electrically-conductive separators are placed in contact with the metal screen and the compression pad for axially containing fluids present therewithin.

Abstract: A cable tie installation tool for forming a cable tie into a closed loop around a plurality of objects includes a housing which is adapted to receive an individually loaded cable tie. A transport assembly driven by a first motor advances the tail of the cable tie around the objects to be bundled. A jaw assembly driven by a second motor guides the tail through the head to form the cable tie into a closed loop around the desired bundle. A cinch assembly driven by the first motor further advances the tail through the head so as to reduce the size of the closed loop around the desired bundle. A control circuit electrically monitors the tension level of the closed loop around the bundle by measuring the current draw of the first motor. The control circuit limits the tension of the closed loop around the bundle to a user adjustable, desired tension level.

Abstract: Needle for use in a plastic fastener dispensing tool. In one embodiment, the needle is a two-piece structure including a stem and a base. The stem, which is made from stamped and rolled metal, has a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion is generally cylindrical in shape and has a longitudinal bore adapted to receive a cross-bar, a longitudinal slot adapted to permit a filament to pass therethrough while a cross-bar is seated in the bore, and a tip adapted for insertion into an article. The rear portion of the stem is provided with an asymmetric V-shaped cutting notch along its rear edge for use in severing the severable connector between a fastener and its runner bar. The notch has an internal angle of approximately 110° and a width of approximately 0.050-0.055 inch. The vertex of the notch is positioned at the centerline of the bore. The base, which is made of molded plastic, is mounted onto the rear portion of the stem.