Abstract: A stopper for use with an individual beverage container is disclosed. The stopper has a generally tubular side wall with an upper edge and a lower edge. The side wall is dimensioned to fit snugly in the neck of the beverage container with a pressure fit. A bottom extends inwardly from the side wall. A flat upper portion is integrally attached to the bottom and is spaced upwardly from the bottom. An aperture is formed in the bottom or the flat upper portion. In addition, a vent hole is formed in the bottom or the flat upper portion. Preferably the flat upper portion is spaced from the side walls thereby forming a trough therebetween. Preferably the aperture is formed in the bottom and dimensioned to receive a straw snugly therethrough. Preferably the flat upper portion is divided into a first and second upper portion with a channel therebetween, with the channel being contiguous with the aperture and dimensioned to receive an upper portion of the straw when in a stored position.

Abstract: The fish feeding game of the present invention includes a floating game device which defines the boundaries of the game and a floating fish feeding device. Movement of the floating fish feeding device within the boundaries of the game defines play of the game. The game could be a field type game like soccer or a game of chance like roulette. The fish feeding device of the present invention is for use in association with a plurality of resilient fish-food pieces. The fish-food pieces may be fish-food pellets, fish-food morsels or a combination thereof. The fish feeding device includes a floating portion having an outer surface, a central hollow portion and an aperture formed in the floating portion between the hollow portion and the outer surface. The hollow portion is for receiving the plurality of fish-food pieces. The aperture is dimensioned such that one of the plurality of resilient fish-food pieces will obstruct the aperture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrically treating foodstuffs flowing through a treatment chamber with low energy, high voltage electrical pulses for non-thermal pasteurization and/or sterilization. Instant-charge-reversal electrical pulses are applied to a foodstuff located between two electrodes in a treatment chamber, each electrical pulse having a pulse width in a range from about 1 to 5 .mu.s with vertically rising voltage to a peak followed immediately with a decreasing voltage through zero volts and continuing to a voltage peak of opposite polarity and rising vertically back to zero volts. The electrical pulses are very low energy (0.1-25 Joules/pulse) and the field strengths are in the range 15 kVolts/cm to 120 kVolts/cm. This instant-charge-reversal electrical pulse is shown to have a much greater microbial killing power compared to other pulse waveforms used to treat foodstuff.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrochemical cells and electrochemical systems using a one piece or unitary electrode plate hereinafter also referred to as a double electrode plate (DEP) which serves to electrically connect two adjacent cell compartments and wherein the current flow in the electrodes is parallel to the working face of the electrode. In the cell designs disclosed herein the cells are assembled as a contiguous stack of cells (cell stack) appearing similar to a filter press where the electrical connections between adjacent cells are made using the double electrode plate. In one aspect of the invention there is provided a mono-polar multiple stack electrolyser (MSE) using double electrode plates wherein the planar double electrode plates connect cells in adjacent cell stacks. The mono-polar characteristics of the cell are maintained by the presence of an air gap isolating each adjacent stack of cells connected by each double electrode plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for distinguishing a boundary of an object, and the object itself, from its background. In the method electromagnetic radiation is detected from at least one field of view substantially spanning the boundary of the object and background adjacent to the boundary and superimposed or overlaid as images onto a detector. The method includes correlating spatial transitions in intensity of the overlaid images on the detector with a boundary of the object. When used for determining the attitude of a satellite with respect to the earth, the detector is a thermal infrared detector thereby providing a sharp contrast between the thermal emission of the earth and cold space. The invention provides a simple, effective method and device for determining satellite orientation and/or attitude with respect to a thermal infrared-emitting target body.

Abstract: An auger bit for forming bores having a circular cross section in a workpiece is disclosed. The bit has an elongate auger portion, a shank, a lead screw, a chisel blade, a spur blade, and a shearing blade. The elongate auger portion has an elongate shaft with a elongate helical land formed therein defining a flute between adjacent turns on the elongate helical land. The helical land has a lead edge and following portion. The shank is integrally connected to one end of the elongate auger portion and is adapted to engage a drill. The lead screw is integrally connected to the other end of the elongate auger portion and is for engaging the workpiece. The chisel blade extends outwardly from the leading edge of the elongate helical land and is for chipping material from the workpiece. The spur blade extends longitudinally from the elongate helical land in the direction of the lead screw. A cutting edge extends longitudinally from the following portion of the elongate helical land proximate to the leading edge.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for nondestructive, in situ measuring thicknesses of layers on substrates. The method and device uses a probe including a radioactive source in a source holder and a photodetector mounted behind the source for detection of backscattered photons. In one aspect the method is used to measure the thickness of paint deposited onto metal substrates. The source holder and photodetector array forms a cylindrically symmetric probe for producing an axially symmetric beam of primary photons. A source containing radioactive .sup.109 Cd producing high energy photons of energy 22 and 25 keV is spaced from the painted surface so the photons impinge on the painted substrate. The intensity of photons backscattered by Compton scattering in the paint layer is proportional to the mass density of the paint to give a direct measurement of the paint thickness. The photons penetrating through to the substrate are absorbed within the substrate.

Abstract: An active and continuous passive motion (CPM) devices for exercising and/or providing therapy to the upper and lower extremities comprising a frame, a disc pivotally mounted to the frame and hand or feet support members attached to the disc. A motor is provided and is coupled to the disc for rotating the disc in the active mode. A control circuit is provided for adjusting the speed of the disc in the passive mode and for adjusting the resistance to movement of the disc in the active mode.

Abstract: An electronic inductive switching power amplifier designed for but not limited to amplification of electrical audio signals consists of a power conversion system, a signal control system together with a direct current power source wherein the power conversion system comprising of a pulse width modulator circuit, primary semiconductor switches and a high frequency switching transformer wherein the direct current power source is pulse width modulated through primary winding on the switching transformer by the primary semiconductor switches being controlled by the pulse width modulator. The switching transformer further comprises of a secondary winding wherein the primary to secondary winding ratio effects the required power conversion and amplification.