Abstract: A method and apparatus of teaching mathematical problem solving includes using a series of containers, each consisting of an inherent problem requiring the use of mathematical skills for solution. The series of containers meets all conditions for the teaching of mathematics as recommended by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics in their 1989 document "The Standards". The complete solution satisfying "The Standards" for each container ordinarily takes a period of days. A kit consisting of such containers is disclosed.

Abstract: A nanofilter membrane is used to filter the outflow of a food processing stream which begins with a starch slurry and ends with a glucose syrup which in its preferred form is about 95% dextrose and 5% di- and trisaccharides. The nanofilter membrane is able to pass the dextrose while retaining the di- and trisaccharides. As a result, the invention is able to produce substantially pure dextrose, with purity in a range which is well over 99%.

Abstract: A universal radiographic/fluoroscopic room includes a digital imaging platform adapted to occupy operating and non-operating positions. A park function automatically moves the digital imaging platform between the operating and non-operating positions without requiring operator effort. The digital imaging platform has local and remote control panels having substantially duplicate functions. The remote control panel allows the operator to control operation of the digital imaging platform from a location shielded from X-ray exposure. Methods and apparatus are provided to ensure safe, predictable, and consistent operation from all control panels. The operator selects any available operating mode, including auto-bucky, auto-wall, auto-table, auto-table/wall, servo-tomo, conventional stepping, stepped-digital, auto-step, and auto-step-center modes, using a control panel.

Abstract: A laminated map or other product having a plurality of adjacent rectangular panels, formed of a paperboard sheet and a pair of transparent sheets covering the paperboard sheet, with the transparent sheets joining all of the paperboard sheets into an integrated product. The panels are arranged in at least two rows of plural panels and a plurality of columns of panels. When the pairs of panels in the columns are accordion-folded in the direction of the columns, and are then folded to cause the panels of one row to overlie the panels of the other row, the product will fold into a compact stack without substantial resistance to movement into that configuration and will be substantially flat, and when the panels are temporarily folded into single stack compact random arrays, those arrays will be compact and substantially flat. A method of making a multidirectional, multiple fold laminated product is also described.

Abstract: A first picture composed of first pixels including a first number thereof arrayed in a first direction and individually having a first image data is multiplied to provide a second picture composed of second pixels including a second number thereof arrayed in a second direction and individually having a second image data. An association is effected between each of the first number of first pixels and a total of h of the second number of second pixels, where h is an integer digitally equivalent to a multiplication factor, before a total of h fractions of the first image data are distributed to the h second pixels, as the second image data thereof, so that a compositional context of a first image representable by the first image data is substantially left in a second image representable by the second image data, permitting a directionally deformable multiplication of a digital picture.

Abstract: A deck of cards is adapted to enable all ages to play a game (of many games) which is of interest to them. Each of 104 cards in a deck of cards has an alphabetical letter and a numerical value along with a cartoon which begins with a phoneme that corresponds to the letter so that the cards may be used as flash cards to teach the alphabet to small children. Some games require only a matching to two alphabetical characters. Other games are designed to permit players with low scores to "gang-up" on players with high scores. Still other games fit between these extremes to challenge the players skills and to provide games of interest to various age groups.

Abstract: In a contact in which a cylindrical member (12) surrounds an elastic contact piece (11) to be brought into contact with a mating contact, the cylindrical member has first and second portions (12a, 12b) which are different from each other in width thereof throughout an axial length of the cylindrical member. The first portion defines a receiving space (13) located adjacent to the elastic contact piece in a radial direction to receive the mating contact piece. The second portion corresponds to the elastic contact piece.

Abstract: Reducer comprising at least one stage and associated with a nonreturn device and with an Oldham coupling. The nonreturn device consists of two tubular seats fitted one into the other and of a helical spring braking by expansion against the casing of the reducer. The Oldham cross is seated within the nonreturn device. The reducer, the nonreturn device and the Oldham coupling are seated within the casing and are retained axially in the latter by a ring capable of receiving an adapter piece for mounting the assembly in a frame. The assembly forms a compact unit which can be handled easily.

Abstract: A protein crumble having fat-like properties is made by using a soy protein which is mixed with water and then chopped and blended. Specific amounts of isolate soy protein or soy protein concentrate are preferred. Any of a number of ingredients including animal derived proteins, carbohydrates, and gums may be added to produce a fat-like attribute without actually adding fat.

Abstract: A speech synthesizing apparatus for varying a speech characteristic condition is adapted to accept a speech request that does not have a speech characteristic condition and to synthesize a speech responsive thereto. A controlling portion accepts a plurality of speech requests; a speech synthesizing portion switches a plurality of speech characteristics for speech synthesis; a speaker outputs a speech corresponding to an output signal of the speech synthesizing portion; and a synthesizer characteristic table stores speech characteristic conditions synthesized by the speech synthesizing portion. The controlling portion can accept a speech request that does not have a speech characteristic condition. Then, the controlling portion selects an available speech characteristic condition from a synthesizer characteristic table and sends the selected speech characteristic condition to the speech synthesizer.

Abstract: A locking device for restricting rotation of at least one wheel of an in-line skate of the type having a two-sided frame for rotatably mounting the wheels therebetween. The device includes a generally elongated member for releasably engaging at least one wheel of the skate and the frame to prevent rotation of the wheel within the frame. The elongated member extends through at least one hole in the wheel and is oriented transversely to the linear arrangement of the wheels and parallel to their rotational axes.

Abstract: A teaching clock comprising an analog clock face having numeric indicia of hour and minute disposed about its periphery, an hour hand and a minute hand pivotally mounted and substantially centrally disposed proximate to the analog clock face, a digital time display disposed adjacent to the analog clock face, and a gear assembly responsive to movement of the minute hand for conforming a time displayed by the digital time display to a time indicated by the hour hand and the minute hand.

Abstract: A container for dispensing granular, flaked or powdered substances. The container has a container body, an adapter or neck, and a closure. The adapter is a hollow tube and has an adapter end connected to the container body. The adapter has an open end opposite the adapter end connected to the container body. The closure is adjustably coupled to the adapter at the adapter open end. The closure has a plurality of apertures in its closure wall. The closure is adjustable along an axis of the adapter by rotating the closure. The closure can be rotated to adjust the closure to an open position so that the apertures in the closure are at least partially unobstructed by the adapter and form a passageway into an interior hollow of the container. The closure can be rotated to adjust the closure to a closed position so that the closure apertures are completely obstructed by the adapter.

Abstract: A paper corrugator machine has a closed loop for delivering warm adhesive from a source to a pan from which the adhesive is applied onto the crests of the corrugated paper flutes. To insure a delivery of the correct amount of adhesive to the flute crests, a predetermined amount of adhesive is first accumulated in a graduated column. Then, the adhesive delivery feed is switched from the closed loop to the graduated column. A detector senses upper and lower limits of the amount of the adhesive in the column. The rate of the delivery of adhesive is determined by how long it takes for the predetermined amount of adhesive to be delivered from the column to the corrugating machine. Responsive to this determination, the corrugating machine may be adjusted to apply more or less adhesive to the flute crests.

Abstract: A bicycle storage and display system having a frame, a first chain mounted on a first side, and a second chain mounted on a second side of the frame. A plurality of sprockets rotatably support the first and second drive chains. The sprockets are arrayed to support the drive chains for concurrent movement in parallel vertical planes. A plurality of elongated, horizontally positioned support bars having first and second ends supported, respectively, on the first and second drive chains, support a plurality of horizontally spaced bicycles thereon. A plurality of two point bicycle hangers are suspended from the support bars, means on each of the hangers releasably engage each bicycle at two points thereon to secure and suspend the bicycles in a generally horizontal orientation for storage and display and for releasing the bicycles for ready removal therefrom.

Abstract: The device comprises a control point (CP) equipped with Up and Down contacts, the actuation of which causes the rotation of the motor in the desired direction, a control and supply box (CB) containing a logic processing unit (LPU), switching means controlled by the logic unit and means for establishing a direction of rotation of the motor. The means for establishing a direction of rotation of the motor furthermore comprise means (LPU, CLK, DC) for recognizing the direction of rotation of the shutter or roller blind, a memory of EEPROM type (MI) for recording the direction of rotation of the motor instruction issued by the control point and a programmed processor for comparing the recognized direction of displacement with the instruction emanating from the control point.