Abstract: Galvanically protected reinforcement dowel pins and methods of producing the same. In one embodiment, the reinforcement dowel pins comprise a bar or tube, the longitudinal exposed surfaces of which are covered by a heavy gauge of a sacrificial metal, such as zinc, zinc alloy, magnesium, magnesium alloy, aluminum, or aluminum alloy. The bar or tube comprises steel, carbon steel, or other ferrous metal. The heavy gauge of sacrificial metal is applied to the ferrous metal by various processes, such as roll bonding, lock seaming, welding, die casting, flame spraying, plasma spraying, dipping, sinking, and drawing. The resulting reinforcement dowel pins resist corrosion without sacrificing structural integrity, and are reasonable in materials and manufacturing costs. These dowel pins may be installed in adjacent concrete panels using conventional methods, and therefore do not introduce additional costs in installation.

Abstract: A digital scale includes a display and buttonless top platform. Contact with the scale platform alone allows a user to power the scale, identify a user of the scale, determine a mode of operation of the scale, and to establish a reminder. The scale has a first mode of operation displaying a reading of the user's weight. The scale has a second mode of operation providing a display of the user's current weight, a delta or differential weight with the most recent recorded weight measurement and if the data is available, additional deltas for weight measurements taken up to one year earlier. The scale has a third mode of operation in which it provides a reminder for tasks to be undertaken by a user within a specified time.

Abstract: A releasable coupling includes a male coupling portion having a frustoconical male plug portion, and a female coupling portion having a frustoconical female socket portion. The male and female coupling portions are locked together and unlocked by a bidirectional rotatable cam ring which drives one or more balls between the male and female coupling portions.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a film having a pattern of protruding structures. When used in the vacuum packaging bag material context, the result is a vacuum packaging bag that a consumer can effectively evacuate and hermetically seal. The protruding structures tend to form channels that enable gas to evacuate from within a vacuum packaging bag. In certain embodiments, the protruding structures are formed only on an inner side of the vacuum packaging film, typically through a hot casting or heat-extrusion process. As a result, far less bag material is required than in the prior art patterned film formed through cold embossing processes. The present invention also contemplates a variety of applications for the films, including preformed bags and bag rolls, as well as a variety of apparatus for manufacturing the films and appliances for utilizing the bags and bag rolls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable vacuum packaging machine which, other than a conventional vacuum packaging machine composed of a bulky and weighty single component element, is configured in such a way as to be divided into a body section and a head section, whereby a vacuum packaging work can be conveniently implemented using the head section without requiring movement of the body section, irrespective of place so long as a flat condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A method for making a vacuum packaging film includes flowing a plastic melt, from a multi-layer extruder, onto a rotating roller. The plastic melt is then cooled while simultaneously imparting a pattern, via a pattern imparting means, onto the plastic melt resulting in the vacuum packaging film.

Abstract: A broad spectrum functional food formulation based on blue-green algae and concentrated extracts of blue-green algae provides numerous health benefits when orally administered in therapeutically effective amounts. Whole aphanizomenon flos-aqua is combined with concentrates of phycocyanin and phenylethylamine to provide a life-enhancing dietary supplement which can stimulate stem cell production, elevate mood and reduce inflammation and joint pain.

Abstract: Various medical conditions previously treated by injection or surgery are effectively treated by a topical application of a composition of urea and a chemotherapeutic agent. Such agents include sclerosing agents, varodilators and botulinum toxin. Conditions as diverse as spider veins, erectile dysfunction and facial wrinkles can be effectively treated with the compositions.

Abstract: A wireless detector and alarm system, such as for example a smoke detector and/or carbon monoxide (CO) detector, operable to be linked and unlinked with one or more like detectors thereby forming a network of detectors. A detector sensing the presence of an environmental condition, which requires the sounding of an alert is operable to transmit a signal to other remotely linked detectors, thereby triggering the remotely linked detectors to sound an appropriate alarm. The detector at the location of the environmental condition causing the alarm and the remotely linked detector are capable to operate in teach and learn modes such that the address or “house codes” of the detectors can be synchronized.

Abstract: A system is provided for facilitating the imaging of a specimen, such as a laboratory rat, within an imaging machine such as an MRI machine. A sliding, self-centering interconnection is provided between a magnetic positioning and spacing assembly and a specimen positioning and retention assembly. Support and abutment surfaces are provided for facilitating the proper mounting locations of a gradient coil and probe coil within the main magnet coil and for optimally locating a specimen with respect to the main magnet coil and with respect to the gradient and probe coils.

Abstract: A method of preserving foodstuffs in a heat-sealable plastic bag wherein three of the bag's four peripheral edges are permanently sealed together and the fourth of the edges comprises a temporary interlocking linear seal. After foodstuffs are placed into the interior of the bag, the linear seal is interlocked to form an inner chamber and to isolate those foodstuffs therein from the outside environment. The bag is then pierced to provide an opening through which the inner chamber of the bag is evacuated. Then, while the inner chamber is evacuated, heat is applied to seal around the opening or between the opening and the portion of the inner chamber containing the foodstuffs to isolate the foodstuffs within said evacuated inner chamber from the outer environment. The foodstuffs may be removed from the bag by opening the interlocking seal and the bags may be reused numerous times by re-interlocking the seal and repeating the evacuating and sealing process.