Abstract: A window screen attachment apparatus and method for attaching a screen to a window frame. The apparatus includes a mesh screen with a rigid frame, a number of ferromagnetic cups and mating permanent magnets, and a gasket. Each cup is permanently attached to the screen frame at the surface or in a recess, and includes a depression with a flat floor and a perpendicular wall. The magnet is shaped to fit relatively snuggly into the depression. The cup is either a single piece of ferromagnetic material, separate floor and wall components, or a single floor component and a wall that is the sides of a recess in the screen frame. The magnets are attached to the window frame by an adhesive that is initially protected by a release layer. The gasket is a set of compressible strips that provides a barrier items passing through the gap between the window and screen frames. The window screen is attached by placing the magnets in the cups, removing the release layer, and pressing the adhesive against the window frame.

Abstract: A bicycle saddle including a narrow nose, a wide seat, and a transition region in between. The components of the saddle are a base, a pad, and a cover. The base provides that saddle with rigidity. The pad provides resilient support to the rider. The underside of the pad is provided with grooves, giving the pad greater compressibility in the area of the grooves only. The cover includes a seat cover and a nose cover, which are stitched together. The nose cover is composed of a more flexible material than the seat cover to accommodate the increased compressibility of the nose portion of the pad.

Abstract: A cosmetic compact has a housing that is composed of an elastomeric foam. The housing may be hermetically sealed or opened easily by virtue of a tongue and groove structure. An array of cosmetics is easily accessible and replaceable by virtue of the hierarchy of dimensional stability of its components, by which the array is sufficiently compliant to permit its covers to have living hinges, but sufficiently rigid to permit it to be snapped as a whole into the shallow dish provided for it by the housing. Different arrays may be supplied together with a particular housing-mirror combination or may be supplied later for replacement.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing dual-energy x-ray imaging using two-dimensional detectors. The apparatus consists of, in physical order, an x-ray source, a front two-dimensional x-ray detector, a beam selector, and a rear two-dimensional x-ray detector. The subject is located between the x-ray source and front detector. The beam selector prevents primary x-rays from reaching selected locations of the rear detector. A pair of primary dual-energy images is obtained at the rear detector. Using a dual-energy data decomposition method, a low-resolution primary x-ray front detector image is calculated, from which a high-resolution primary dual-energy image pair is calculated. In addition, the data decomposition method can be used to calculate a pair of high-spatial-resolution material composition images.

Abstract: An assemblage and system for drinking a plurality of potable and/or medicinal liquids simultaneously from discrete receptacles. The assemblage comprises a plurality of conduits joined together that convey isolated streams of the liquids from separate receptacles into the mouth. Preferably, the conduits are mechanically deformable along their axes of elongation. The conduits are joined by a catch, by binding, by molding the conduits as a single unit, by a joining structure, or by raveling. The system includes the assemblage and a number of joined receptacles.

Abstract: An assemblage for drinking a plurality of potable and/or medicinal liquids simultaneously from discrete receptacles while prevent contamination of one liquid by another. The assemblage comprises a plurality of conduits joined together that convey isolated streams of the liquids from separate receptacles into the mouth. Preferably, the conduits are mechanically deformable along their axes of elongation. The conduits are joined by a catch, by binding, by molding the conduits as a single unit, or by raveling. At least one conduit includes a check valve.

Abstract: A surface finish, displacement and contour scanner comprising an arm with a stylus pivotally attached to a housing, and a transducer with a blade attached to the arm and an E-shaped ferrite core mounted to the housing. The arm is biased with the stylus out of the housing. The high permeability blade moves outside of the core, relative to the open faces of the three legs of the core. The blade is a flux carrier changing the coupling between the primary winding and the secondary windings, controlling the secondary windings output signals. The blade has a section adjacent to and completely covering the primary leg face, and two sections adjacent to the secondary leg faces. In the null position, both leg faces are half covered so that the secondary windings outputs are the same. As the stylus moves, the area of one secondary leg face covered by the blade increases as the other decreases, changing the secondary winding output signal in opposite directions.

Abstract: A cable lock and complementary bracket for securely attaching the cable lock to a bicycle frame when not in use. The bracket has an attachment portion that mounts the bracket to a frame strut and a seat with a cavity into which the lock head of the cable lock fits. The cavity is funnel shaped to limit movement between the lock head and bracket. An arm on the bracket includes a tongue that extends into a groove in the lock head to securely retain the lock head in the bracket. The tongue is biased into the groove and is manually removable by bending the arm to allow removal of the lock head from the bracket.

Abstract: An integrated package including two nutrient beverage formulations in discrete, sealed containers and instructions for use of the formulations in conjunction with a relatively short exercise session to enhance performance and reduce the adverse effects of the exercise. The formulations are compatibly designed for the needs of the different phases of exercise. The formulations are provided in either fully-constituted liquid form or as water-soluble concentrates. The formulations are combined in a unified package with indicia and instructions. The formulations include fluids, electrolytes, carbohydrates, and other optional agents including vitamin E, glycerol, alkaline salts, stimulants, creatine, specific amino acids, aspartates, phosphates, and pyruvate.

Abstract: A wetted, disposable wipe constructed by bonding a layer of absorbent material to one side of a barrier sheet that is impermeable to infectious agents and insoluble in dermatological fluids, filling a reservoir in the barrier with a dermatological fluid, and hermetically sealing the absorbent layer between the barrier and a cover. The peripheral edges of the absorbent layer are spaced inwardly from the peripheral edges of the barrier to provide a surrounding zone of the impermeable barrier alone. The absorbent layer bond to the barrier is resistant to degradation caused by exposure to the dermatological fluid. The cover is secured by an adhesive that is resistant to degradation caused by exposure to the dermatological fluid and that allows the cover to be manually peeled from the barrier. The reservoir holds the dermatological fluid temporarily to prevent vapors from the fluid from igniting during the barrier/cover sealing process.

Abstract: A keyway plug that provides a means for preventing the correct key from opening a tumbler lock, including a plug and an extractor. The plug fits into the keyway to block complete insertion of a key. In one embodiment, an arm extends from the tip of the plug across the tumblers, but is short enough so that the outermost tumbler drops to hide the plug. In the second plug embodiment, the outermost tumbler drops into a notch to prevent the plug from going too far into the keyway. The extractor includes a narrow finger, the upper edge of which includes a hook that mates with a matching hook in the lower edge of the plug arm. As the extractor is removed, the hooks interlock, causing the plug to be removed.

Abstract: A method for preventing fraud associated with instant game tickets by permanently alter the ticket to indicate which of the available selections the player wishes to play prior to giving the player the ability to reveal any selections. The ticket has an alteration site, which is a token or tag associated with each selection or a single printed or magnetic region. The alteration site is altered by punching a hole, cutting a notch, marking with ink, or changing the magnetic coding. The ticket may be altered after the player has chosen the selections or the player may be offered a ticket from a set of previously-altered tickets. The ticket may be altered or sold by a person or by a vending machine. The vending machine may allow the player to choose the selections, it may offer the player a choice of previously-altered tickets, or it may give the player a ticket with a random selection chosen.

Abstract: The displacement sensor employing a magnetoresistive effect laminate structure consisting of a bottom ferromagnetic layer with a field oriented in one direction, a middle non-magnetic layer, and a top softer magnetic layer. The top softer magnetic layer has two regions of opposing magnetic fields separated by a domain wall, where the magnetic field in one region is aligned with the bottom layer magnetic field. The resistance of the laminate structure changes as the location of the domain wall changes. In one improvement, the domain wall is induced by a pair of opposing semicylindrical magnets magnetized along their semicylindrical surface, forming parallel field lines and leading to a stronger domain wall. In another improvement, there are four laminate structures in an electrical bridge configuration. The bridge is excited by an alternating current source and the output is synchronously measured.

Abstract: Items of clothing that have a predetermined shape that is maintained when not being worn, including a shell and a waterproof, breathable inner layer. The shell comprises an outer closely woven synthetic fabric, a relatively high-tensile-strength stratum printed on the inner face thereof and covering from 10 to 90% of the surface of the inner face, and fluorocarbon impregnation thereof. The stratum may be printed in a variety of patterns.

Abstract: An asynchronous pipeline that is divided into separate data and signal chains by moving the data register load signal buffer outside of the closed loop that generates the output request event from the input request event, causing the output request event to occur before output data is available. Matched delays between adjacent pipeline stages permit data and signals to move from stage to stage without problem. Matched delays between stages are possible if: (1) every stage has the same loading; (2) logically adjacent stages are physically located next to each other; (3) the buffered data register load signal has enough drive to latch data reliably; and (4) the delay from input request event to output request event is greater than the latch time of the data register. Input and output circuits transform the internal signals of the pipeline to the correct asynchronous signals for asynchronous source and destination devices or to the correct synchronous signals for synchronous source and destination devices.

Abstract: A notebook insert for use in a notebook that has a front cover and a back cover hingedly connected to an elongated spine where the spine has either at least two axially-aligned, openable rings evenly spaced longitudinally along the spine or a helical coil. The notebook insert includes a C-shaped frame and a rectangular support. The frame has a center portion and a pair of substantially equal-length arms, where the center portion has a plurality of openings near one edge for receiving the notebook rings and/or a plurality of catches for projecting through the loops of the coil. The support is pivotally connected to the frame by at least two axially-aligned, snap-together journals. The outer bearing surface of each journal is defined by the inner surface of a cylindrical depression located in a protrusion from one of support surfaces, where the cross section of the cylindrical depression forms an arc greater than 180.degree..

Abstract: A method for decreasing the deflation time of an intra-aortic balloon comprises removing a portion of the gas from the closed pneumatic system during balloon inflation and then restoring the removed gas to the system at or near the end of balloon deflation. An apparatus for decreasing the deflation time of an intra-aortic balloon comprises an auxiliary chamber connected by an auxiliary valve to the pneumatic system near the volume chamber. The auxiliary valve is controlled to open and close the auxiliary chamber to the pneumatic system at predetermine points in the balloon inflation/deflation cycle. Removing a portion of the gas from the pneumatic system increases the pressure gradient from the balloon to the volume chamber, increasing the gas flow from the balloon, and decreasing deflation time.

Abstract: A process is described for producing natural, heat stable flavorings suitable for bakery applications. The flavorings are produced by low-temperature extraction of at least one herb, spice, fruit, nut or other plant material or part thereof with a mixture or an emulsion of an edible oil, water and an emulsifier, followed by separation of the solids matter from the liquid. The liquid flavorings fraction which is itself heat stable is rendered more convenient to use by encapsulation and drying into powder.

Abstract: A device for assisting in anastomosis of tubular structures. The basic device has a generally cylindrical shape with a pair of insertion arms and a central depression that provides a space for the needle to move through within the tubular structures while simultaneously providing support so that the suture needle thrust does not collapse the tubular structure wall. The depression may be configured to guide the path of the needle. A bridge connects the arms and prevents the needle from inadvertently coming in contact with the wall opposite that of the wall being sutured. The method includes an initial suture to join the structures, inserting the device into the openings of the two structures, placing sutures in the walls adjacent to the depression, optionally rotating the device so the depression is aligned with each suture as it is being placed, removing the device, and tightening the sutures to complete the anastomosis.