Abstract: An internal combustion engine having two parallel cylinders, namely, an induction cylinder and a power cylinder, whereby the power, ventilation (comprising simultaneous intake and exhaust), and compression events within the power cylinder completely define the cycle of the engine, with induction in the induction cylinder being an auxiliary and incidental function to the cycle within the power cylinder, such that engine cooling and fuel efficiency are improved over prior art internal combustion engines. Interconnecting the power cylinder and the induction cylinder is a transfer chamber which opens into the top of the power cylinder, which chamber in turn is equipped with a one way, pressure responsive transfer valve for allowing air to flow into the power cylinder when pressure therein falls below the pressure in the induction cylinder. An exhaust port is likewise positioned near the bottom of the power cylinder.

Abstract: An improved collet crimping head used with an existing single lane capping apparatus and collet chuck for gripping, installing and crimping pharmaceutical over-caps and the like during the automated high-volume filling and capping process. The collet crimping head is a unitary member formed with a lower cap crimping section and an upper mounting collar for attachment to a chuck of said automatic capping assembly. The lower cap crimping section has an inwardly directed and constrictable crimping collar for crimping and sealing aluminum hoods of said over-caps onto the necks of containers. The collet crimping head has a slim profile for low inertia, and it incorporates a simplified design for increased durability and reliability, lower manufacturing cost, and greater ease of handling.

Abstract: An improved appliance for slicing food articles, particularly baked goods and bagels in a uniform, quick and safe manner. The appliance includes a food receptacle which is slidably inserted into one end of a main housing and into which a food item such as a bagel is placed. A motorized cutting carriage is pivotally mounted to the main housing and extends a serrated dual-bladed slicing assembly over the food item. When power is applied, the blades of the slicing assembly begin reciprocating, and the entire cutting carriage is pivoted with respect to the main housing in order to move the reciprocating blades of the slicing assembly through the food item. Once the food item is cut, the cutting carriage is returned to its home position, the food receptacle is slidably withdrawn, and the sliced food item is removed and consumed. The appliance requires a minimum of space and facilitates the slicing operation without damage to the bagel.

Abstract: An absorbent wiping band that is specifically adapted to be releasably and conformably fastened around the forearm, elbow and upper arm to expose an absorbent strip of material extending upwardly along the upper arm beginning at the elbow such that when the arm is straightened the absorbent band is even with the wearer's forehead and can be manipulated to wipe the forehead for removal of perspiration.

Abstract: This invention relates to a muffler or mute for saxophone and other wind instruments comprising a muffling bag (10) with a durable external vinyl layer (12) and an internal layer of sound absorbing material (14). The saxophone (16) is entirely ensconced inside the saxophone muffler (except for the mouthpiece), and is securely held therein by an internal carriage assembly (30). The carriage assembly spaces and positions the saxophone, and hence the sound emanating from the keys as well as the bell of the saxophone is muted equally efficiently. Pockets (20) provided on the two sides of the saxophone enable the saxophonist to have access to the keys of the saxophone. A second hard-shell embodiment also functions as a mute and doubles as a saxophone carrying case.

Abstract: A method for high speed spectroscopic constituent verification. The method includes the steps of illuminating a sample with broadband light and measuring two preselected wavelengths of reflected light: a first narrow-range of wavelengths &lgr;1 that is not significantly absorbed by the constituent of interest, and a second narrow-range of wavelengths &lgr;2 that is substantially absorbed by the constituent of interest. Given the two measurements of reflection, upper and lower thresholds are determined (the latter based on a percentage of the measured baseline reflected light of wavelengths &lgr;1). Finally, the presence of the constituent of interest is indicated if the measure of the reflected discriminant wavelength &lgr;1 is within the upper and lower threshold measures of reflected baseline light &lgr;1.

Abstract: A tattoo identification card and promotional schedule card, both with integral removable tattoo. The tattoo identification card is a coated card stock sheet similar to a greeting card and having at least one surface bearing a printed section to be filled in with information about the particular child bearing the card. The tattoo identification card also comprises a removable tattoo displaying secondary printed matter. The removable tattoo is formed from a panel of porous decal paper, a water soluble slip layer carried on one side of said porous decal paper, a water resistant film carried on the water soluble slip layer, secondary identification information printed on the water resistant film, and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive covering the secondary printed matter. A reattachable bonding agent is applied to the other side of the porous decal paper along an edge for removably attaching it to the card stock sheet.

Abstract: An improved design and process for manufacturing a valve housing for an existing filling machine. The improved design is an annular lip protruding downwardly at the outlet end and flaring outwardly for directing liquid into the container being filled, and a plurality of liquid discharge openings circumscribed by the annular lip at the outlet end for evenly dispersing liquid down and around the lip and against the sides of the container for accumulation therein without foaming. This design replaces existing press-fit tips which are expensive and unwieldy. Moreover, the above-described design facilitates formation of the entire valve housing from a single unitary piece of stainless bar stock, and the present invention encompasses the process for manufacture. This reduces manufacturing costs and eliminates weld lines and the associated risk of bacterial contamination.

Abstract: An access control system that incorporates a fail count that is decremented upon entrance of the correct PIN (or password) and incremented upon entrance of an incorrect PIN. Access to a system is denied until the fail counter is equal to one less than its reference value. It becomes increasingly difficult to exhaust over all the possible PINs because the correct PIN needs to be entered and re-entered repeatedly depending on the number of prior incorrect entries. Moreover, an unauthorized user receives no indication when a correct PIN is entered because the entity will not automatically unlock. The access control system can be used for protecting unauthorized access into any access-controlled entity such as bank accounts when a PIN is used in conjunction with a magnetic strip card, or an employee badge to control access to a controlled facility, or into any existing or future computer architectures.

Abstract: An improved piggyback dispensing feature for extended dispensing devices of tile type having a housing with a downwardly extending handle, a trigger pivoted to the handle, an extension bracket attached forwardly of the housing, a barrel assembly attached to the extension bracket opposite the housing, and a piston rod slidably supported in the housing and extension bracket and protruding into the barrel assembly. The improvement comprises an interchangeable push-disk piston mounted on the distal end of the piston rod, and a smaller barrel assembly adapted to be seated inside the other larger barrel assembly to accommodate a smaller-sized cartridge. The smaller barrel assembly piggybacks in the larger, and the push-disk piston swaps out, thereby making it possible to use one extended gun for at least two different-sized cartridges, such as the typical ¼ gallon cartridges and {fraction (1/10)}th gallon cartridges.

Abstract: An improved system for registering and recording the usage of an active restraint system, commonly referred to as a seat belt, in commercial or private vehicles and other human-operated equipment. The device is equipped with a data storage device which allows an interested person to verify that the seat belt of a vehicle has been used as required during operation of the vehicle. The device measures and records active restraint engagement and vehicle motion, as well as time and position if desired.

Abstract: A disposable carbide cutting blade assembly for a universal rotary molding cutter head. The assembly comprises a disposable carbide blade blank having its cutting surface contoured to the desired configuration, a smooth rear, bottom, and front surface, and a hole extending through the carbide blade blank. The carbide blank is positioned against a steel backer plate, which in turn is provided with a ledge for supporting the carbide blank from below, and a smooth front surface against which the rear surface of the carbide blank rests when in position. A safety pin protrudes from the front face of the steel backer plate, and extends into the hole within the carbide blank to properly seat the carbide blank against the steel backer plate. The rear surface of the steel backer plate is provided corrugations along its entire height for mating with the corrugations on the inner wall of a slot of a universal rotary cutter head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an improved frozen vending machine having a glass front which provides the customer the opportunity to view the actual product they wish to purchase, while ensuring the maintenance of a freezing environment and utilizing a product conveyor system which reliably delivers a larger selection of frozen product to the customer than has been available in the past. The present invention also provides a method and kit for modifying existing vending machines into the frozen vending machine described herein.

Abstract: A foot-adjustable leveler comprising a threaded bolt for upward insertion into a table leg, and a foot anchored to the bolt. The foot may be formed from a thin metal jacket that is stamped or pressed onto a hard rubber insert. In this case the bolt is equipped with a flange at one end and is suspended thereby centrally within the hard rubber insert. This serves to reduce vibration and noise transfer. The internal rubber insert is optional, and the bolt can be anchored directly to the metal exterior of the foot jacket. In either case, a rubber foot-adjustment disk is centered on the bolt and is seated on the upper surface of the stamped metal foot. A user simply turns the foot-adjustment disk counterclockwise with the side of their shoe sole in order to raise the table leg, and clockwise to lower the leg. Other embodiments are presented, including one in which the rubber insert and foot-adjustment disk are combined into one integral foot-adjustment member.

Abstract: A visual parking aid comprising a laser pointer supported by a mounting bracket configured for removable attachment to the interior of a vehicle's windshield. The mounting bracket houses the laser power source such that the laser is only made operational when it is correctly positioned upon the mounting bracket. In use, the laser is focused forward from the vehicle so that it displays an image on the wall surface in front of the moving vehicle. As the vehicle approaches the wall, the image on the wall surface descends until it reaches a predetermined stopping point, informing the driver that they have reached the proper parking position.

Abstract: An apparatus for modulating flow in biological conduits has a valve mechanism which has an open state and a closed state. The valve is applied and secured to a particular biological conduit while being maintained in an open state. An actuating mechanism is provided which actuates a change of state of the valve from an open state to a closed state in response to leakage from the biological conduit. In one embodiment, actuation is automatic and in another it is manual but remote. A preferred embodiment is a pinch valve such as that used in temporary micro vascular surgery to which is added an effectively resilient element interposed between opposing members of said clip. The interposed element is configured such that it is unable to maintain the clip in an open position unless the clip opening is augmented by manual or other means, and it is able to maintain the clip in an open position if a blood vessel is placed within the clip and has an adequate flow.

Abstract: An effective trigger grip power device is disclosed for countering piston rod lock due to wear and tear in conventional manual caulking guns. The device is shown in the context of an open frame (which may be a single piece of molded plastic) having a downwardly extending handle. A piston rod is slidably supported in the frame for dispensing caulking composition, and a trigger is pivoted to the frame and retractable against the handle. The effective trigger grip power device is positioned behind the gripping member and generally has a pushing member at one end for bearing against the gripping member to urge it into a vertical position, and a base section that is slidably channeled through the frame and extending rearwardly to said release lever for actuation thereby. In operation, depression of the release lever drives the effective trigger grip power device to urge the gripping member into a substantially vertical position to eliminate trigger lock.

Abstract: An improved quick-change collet chuck used with an existing single lane capping apparatus for gripping and installing container caps during the automated high-volume filling and capping process. The quick-change collet chuck allows quick and effortless swapping out of different size jaw sets for different size caps and minimizes interruption and downtime during the automated container capping processes. The quick-change collet chuck has a slim profile for low inertia so as not to interfere with high speed operation and accurate servo torquing. Another optional feature is shown in conjunction with the quick-change collet chuck to facilitate reversible operation when it is desirable to include on-the-fly cap removal and removal torque testing on the capping machine. This feature insures that the collet chuck cannot unscrew or spin loose from the spindle shaft after the quick-change collet is already locked in position.

Abstract: A variable position mailbox comprising an automatically controlled mailbox support structure for translating a mailbox through a series of preset positions including a night storage position, a mail delivery position, and a mail pick-up position such that mail may be retrieved safely and conveniently by the homeowner away from the traffic bearing road, and the mailbox may be conveniently stored in a position away from the road during the nighttime to discourage vandalism.