Abstract: An anti-microbial, curable silicone rubber composition and method for making same, comprising in at least a portion of the exposed surface of said composition an organic matrix containing homogeneously dispersed particles of metallic silver having a particle size in the range of 1 to 50 nm (silver nanoparticles) in an amount providing on the surface of said composition an anti-microbially effective but less than cytotoxic silver concentration.

Abstract: An electronic promotional game which preferably operates in conjunction with a point of sale terminal having a processor includes an electronic display screen for displaying the image of a game card. The game card has one or more selection areas which appear initially to be covered by an opaque covering which conceals game information on the card, specifically the indicia which indicates a winning game card or the premium to be awarded. An input device allows the game participant to control substitution of the game information for the opaque covering in the image, thus simulating erasure of the opaque covering in the manner of a scratch-off paper based game. The input device can include a touch sensitive screen for indicating the position to be "erased" on the image.

Abstract: A composition of materials (record carrier) with ferromagnetic and quantum-optical properties has been discovered, which can be used as an environment for accumulation with high-density recording of discrete information. In the preferred version, the composition of materials of record carrier (100,110,120,140,160,170 and 180) comprises a first amorphous layer of Ni.sub.(1-x-y) Fe.sub.x Mo.sub.y, a second polycrystalline layer of Co.sub.(1-z-w) Nb.sub.z V.sub.w, and a third polycrystalline layer of Co.sub.(1-j) Nb.sub.j, where x, y, z, w and j are values preferably within the ranges of 0.11<x<0.13; 0.075<y<0.085; 0.145<z<0.155; 0.095<w<0.105. Additionally, the layers also contain the following elements: Si, O, Ar, N, I. A random-access, non-volatile memory cell built using the invented composition of materials (record carrier) has also been discovered and a new non-volatile memory cell has been discovered, where, while information is read, a magnetic quantum-optical effect is used.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable automated fusion bonding apparatus consistently permits the accomplishment of fine grain, forged friction weld fusion bonding with the use of pressurized air sources commonly available at industrial facilities, automotive repair shops, and other manufacturing plants. The automated fusion bonding apparatus includes the following integrally coupled components: a drive-pressure mechanism, a passive fusion bonding mechanism, a stationary workpiece clamping mechanism, a rotatable workpiece and a stationary workpiece.

Abstract: A conduit assembly which has an inner sleeve and outer sleeve which are proportioned to be concentrically mounted, each of which has a longitudinal slot of approximately the same width is disclosed. The conduits are circular, and a detent is provided on the larger of the conduits to accept and nestingly receive the slot of the smaller conduit when the same is rotated to form a complete circular encasement of the wires or cables which are passed through the conduits. The method of the invention contemplates the steps of forming a hole through a wall, such as a firewall, thereafter, optionally, passing the wires through, or passing the inner and outer sleeve through, and then once the wires are in place, or in anticipation of the wires being inserted, rotating the inner sleeve within the outer sleeve until the sleeve slots are approximately diametrically opposed and the central sleeve slop is secured in the detent.

Abstract: A spring-actuated swing device. The spring-actuated swing device includes a seat having a receiving surface, at least one line, each of the lines having a bottom connecting point removeably attachable to the receiving surface and having a top connecting point removeably attachable to a support beam, and at least one spring mechanism. Each of the spring mechanisms is removably attachable to at least one intermediate connecting point of each of the lines intermediate the receiving surface and the support beam, and each of the spring mechanisms displaces a portion of each of the lines. The spring mechanism includes either a compression, stirrup or extension spring, and may also include an emergency strap. A method for producing swinging and/or bounce in playground, athletic or recreational equipment using the spring mechanism is also provided.

Abstract: A modular mold assembly for use in injection molding and method of use. The modular mold assembly comprises a fixed side and an ejector side and a plurality of interchangeable modules for shaping a plurality of sides of a component attached to the mold assembly. The modules include blank modules and slide modules. The interchangeable modules are attached to the mold assembly by slide retainers attached along an interior surface of the ejector side. Slide actuators are attached to the fixed side for engaging the slide modules. The slide actuators move the slide modules inward when the mold halves are pressed together forming a mold cavity and move the slide modules outward when the mold halves are separated.

Abstract: A curved block formwork element for use in forming structures such as curved cornices, lintels and window sills. The curved block formwork element comprises a substantially rectangular shaped block having two oppositely disposed side walls and two oppositely disposed end walls creating a hollow cavity inside, wherein a first of the side walls comprises a flat surface and a second of the side walls comprises a curved surface; means for vertically interlocking the block with a plurality of rectangular block formwork elements along a top and bottom surface of the block; and means for horizontally interlocking the blocks.

Abstract: An integrated window construction system. The present invention provides an integrated window construction system for mounting both window units and hurricane shutters, comprising a header bracket which includes a window header bracket portion and an upper shutter bracket portion spacedly connected by an extended member; a sill bracket comprising a window sill bracket portion and a lower shutter bracket portion spacedly connected by an extended section; means for fastening the header bracket to a window header; means for fastening the sill bracket to a window sill; means for mounting the window unit between the header and sill brackets; and means for securing at least one hurricane shutter between the header and sill brackets.

Abstract: A shut-off valve, for use with a sprinkler head affixed to a riser pipe, including a valve seat affixed within the riser pipe upstream from the sprinkler head, the valve seat having an opening and impeding flow through said riser except through the opening. A movable valve element is located within the riser pipe upstream from the valve seat, the valve element being movable between an open position, in which it is spaced apart from the valve seat, and a closed position, in which it engages the valve seat to close the opening and impede fluid from flowing through the riser pipe. A spring biases the valve element toward the valve seat, and a perforated tube extends from the valve element through the opening in the valve seat and contacts the sprinkler head to maintain the valve element in its open position.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for treating a polyolefin surface to become receptive to inks and adhesives is disclosed. The present invention provides a method of and apparatus for treating a polyolefin surface to become receptive to inks and adhesives, using the steps of introducing the shaped object onto a conveyor belt; conveying the shaped object towards an output end of the conveyor belt; aligning and guiding the shaped object across a treatment device to treat the entire 360.degree. surface of the shaped object. The treatment device includes, for example, an electrode spark generator.

Abstract: A method for removal of prolapsed nucleus pulposus material of an intervertebral disc of a patient using a laser is disclosed. The present invention provides applying a laser beam directly in contact with the prolapsed nucleus pulposus material within the spinal foramen of an intervertebral disc, whereby the laser beam eliminates the prolapsed nucleus pulposus material, without touching the intervertebral disc. A cannula is inserted into the spinal foramen. Once the cannula has passed the ligamentum flavum, a laser fiber is inserted into the cannula. The laser fiber contacts the prolapsed material and a laser beam substantially eliminates the prolapsed material within the spinal foramen.

Abstract: A non-invasive method of treatment for urinary incontinence wherein the electromyographic biofeedback equipment is used on a patient by medical personnel without the necessity of insertion and removal of the catheter or neuromuscular stimulation, wherein the biofeedback results are monitored by both the medical personnel and the patient and are computed in "real-time" allowing contemporaneous instructions to the patient. The method includes the steps of preparing a patient for the method of treatment; attaching sensors of an electromyographic biofeedback device to the patient; monitoring biofeedback signals resulting from voluntary muscle contractions by the patient; interpreting the biofeedback signals; instructing the patient to control muscle contractions according to the signals; and developing a self-treatment program of muscle contraction maneuvers for the patient.

Abstract: A sharps disposal system providing a frame and a container having an opening and being selectively mountable to the frame. A lid is pivotally attached to the frame and is selectively movable into engagement with the container when the container is mounted to the frame. Engaging the container with the lid closes the opening except for an aperture through which sharps can be inserted into the container but which impedes insertion of human hands. Engaging the container with the lid also impedes removal of the container from the frame. The system employs a means for selectively locking the lid into engagement with the container. The system further provides a cover for selectively sealing said opening.

Abstract: A fluidized bed scrubber for use in gas cleaning systems, comprising means for introducing a quantity of polluted gas into a first chamber; means for removing a portion of the pollutants from the polluted gas in the first chamber; means for introducing the polluted gas into a second chamber; and means for removing additional pollutants from the polluted gas in the second chamber. The invention also provides a method for cleaning polluted gas, comprising the steps of passing the polluted gas from a combustion source through a fluidized bed scrubber, removing a plurality of pollutants within the fluidized bed scrubber, passing the fluidized gas through a reactor, passing the fluidized gas through a filter in order to remove further quantities of pollutants, and emitting the now-clean gas into the atmosphere.