Abstract: An RF connector suitable for high frequency applications is provided. The main body of the connector has an external groove. A sleeve is provided at least partially slidably overlying the main body and having a recess at least partially corresponding to the external groove in the main body. A biasing mechanism biases against the main body and the sleeve and is preferably disposed in the external groove and the recess. The biasing mechanism exerts biasing force in a longitudinal direction of the connector to maintain the relative longitudinal position of the sleeve with respect to the main body. Because of the overlap of the sleeve and the main body acting in conjunction with the biasing mechanism, the sleeve is maintained in a stable, straight configuration, and signal loss or degradation is minimized.

Abstract: A toy train accessory for use with a toy train is provided and has at least one track section disposed across the accessory and connectable to a toy train track. A slot is formed in the track section, and an upwardly spring biased sensor is disposed in the slot. At least one entertainment device such as a light or sound generator is connectable to the sensor. When a toy train passes over the sensor on the track, the entertainment device is activated.

Abstract: A pair of matched monaural speakers are added inside conventional left and right stereo speaker housings so that the left, right and flat panel monitor appear joined in a seamless aesthetic effect. The added speakers are provided with center channel monaural sound, making it appear as though such sound emanates from the center of the monitor, thereby enhancing home theater impact to provide stereo and center channel sound from each left and right speaker housing.

Abstract: A locking sizer tab and garment hanger combination is provided in which locking fingers of the sizer tab cooperatively lock into respective cross-bars formed in the neck of the hanger to prevent removal of the sizer tab from the hanger.

Abstract: Improvements have been made for collecting, focusing, and directing of ions and/or charged particles generated at atmospheric or near atmospheric pressure sources, such as but not limited to, electrospray; atmospheric pressure discharge ionization, chemical ionization, photoionization, and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization; and inductively coupled plasma ionization. A multiple-aperture laminated structure is place at the interface of two pressure regions. Electric fields geometries and strengths across the laminated structure and diameters of the apertures; all of which act to optimize the transfer of the ions from the higher pressure region into the lower pressure region while reducing the gas-load on the lower pressure region. Embodiments of this invention are methods and devices for improving sensitivity of mass spectrometry when coupled to atmospheric, near atmospheric, or higher pressure ionization sources by reducing the gas-load on the vacuum system.

Abstract: A portable hand-held device for measuring the pressure in an automobile air conditioning system includes a socket adapted to connect to a service port, an internal passage in communication with the socket, and a pressure gauge disposed in the housing selectively in communication with the internal passage. A valve is interposed between the internal passage and the gauge. When the socket is engaged to a service port of an automobile air conditioning system, gas from the automobile air conditioning system enters the socket, passes through the internal passage, and is read by the pressure gauge. A button is provided having a ramped portion, and a pin contacts the ramped portion of the button at one end at the valve at the other end. When the button is depressed, the pin raises the valve into an open position to allow pressurized gas trapped on a gauge side of the valve to be released via the socket to reset the gauge.

Abstract: A multipole ion guide which begins in one pumping stage and extends continuously into one or more subsequent pumping stages has been incorporated into an atmospheric pressure ion source mass spectrometer system. Ions delivered into vacuum from an Electrospray, Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization or Inductively Coupled Plasma ion source are guided and focused into a mass analyzer with high efficiency using the multipole ion guide. The background pressure over a portion of the multipole ion guide length is high enough to cause kinetic energy cooling of ions traversing the ion guide length due to ion collisions with neutral background gas molecules. This ion kinetic energy cooling lowers energy spread of ions traversing the multipole ion guide length. The multipole ion guide DC offset potential can be used to adjust the mean ion energy and the ion guide an and qn values can be set to reduce or expand the range of ion mass to charge which will be transmitted through the ion guide.

Abstract: A three-dimensional, hanging decoration comprised of a connecting portion and at least one spiraling portion. The device transformed from a flat, lightweight sheet of flexible material (for easy shipping, storage and sale) into a three-dimensional, fanciful, eye-catching and air-current movable party decoration. The visual look and feel of the hanging decoration is that of a spent, thrown or unwound serpentine or party streamer. The three-dimensional hanging decoration may be provided with decorative ornaments which hang downwardly from various points along the connecting portion and/or the spiraling portion. When laid on a flat surface (for shipping and storage), the three-dimensional hanging decoration consumes a minimum of space in that it rests substantially flat.

Abstract: A Time-Of-Flight mass spectrometer is configured with a pulsing region and electronic controls that generate a potential well for ions in the pulsing region, due to the repelling effect of a high-frequency electric field that is created in the space immediately proximate to a surface, and an additional static electric field that accelerates ions toward the surface. Ions can be constrained and accumulated over time in the potential well prior to acceleration into the Time-Of-Flight tube for mass analysis. Ions can also be directed to collide with the surface with high energy to cause Surface Induced Dissociation (SID) fragmentation, or with low energy to effect collisional cooling, hence, better spatial focusing, prior to mass analysis. The apparatus and method described in the invention result in refined control of ion fragmentation energy and improved Time-Of-Flight mass analysis performance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for Flow Injection Analysis (FIA) into Atmospheric Pressure Ion sources (API) including Electrospray (ES) and Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) sources whereby the sampling and spray needles are one and the same. The sampling and spray needle configured with an autoinjector apparatus or used in manual injection is introduced directly into a mating ES or APCI probe configured in an API source. Such a sampling and spray needle eliminates the need for injector valves, transfer lines or additional fluid delivery systems in FIA into API sources interfaced to mass spectrometers or other chemical analyzers. The use of a sampling and spray needle configuration reduces component costs, liquid dead volume, sample dilution effects, and minimizes cross contamination effects, solvent consumption and waste while increasing sample throughput.

Abstract: A coaxial connector suitable for high frequency applications is provided. The main body of the connector has an annular groove. A bayonet sleeve is provided at least partially slidably overlying the main body and having a recess groove at least partially corresponding to the annular groove in the main body. A biasing mechanism biases against the main body and the bayonet sleeve and is preferably disposed in the annular and recess grooves. The biasing mechanism exerts biasing force in a longitudinal direction of the connector to maintain the relative longitudinal position of the bayonet sleeve with respect to the main body. Because of the overlap of the bayonet sleeve and the main body acting in conjunction with the biasing mechanism, the bayonet sleeve is maintained in a stable, straight configuration, and signal loss or degradation is minimized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved cleaning compositions and new methods for treating medical residue such as that remaining on surgical devices and appliances after use. The medical residue treatment compositions of the invention include: (a) at least one surfactant; (b) at least one solvent; (c) at least one co-solvent; (d) at least one nitrogen containing biocide; and (e) at least one organic chelating agent.