Abstract: Through the use of a variety of reinforcing structures, a ribbon light string is described that can be shaped in decorative ways, and it is made of a material that, due to its coloring and/or texture, can become camouflaged into its environment, or of a material that is preferably reflective and compliments the light from the lamp bulbs of the light string. Essentially, the ribbon light string is a reinforced ribbon having a passage therethrough for carrying substantially all, of the non-illuminating portion, of a light string while allowing the illuminating portion to be exposed. To facilitate the shaping of the ribbon, several embodiments are described including the use of pliable ribbon material; the use of at least one reinforcing wire running through the longitudinal extent of the passage; or the use of a “ribbon wire” type conductor for the light string. Also described are the use of novel hole and flap arrangements and lamp bulb/lamp base configurations.

Abstract: Boron powders are sintered and densified utilizing a microwave environment for so doing.

Abstract: An apparatus for exercising pelvic floor muscles is provided that allows the user to adjust the force against which she must act so as to maximize the effect of the exercise. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. Attached to said proximal end of said shaft is an intra-vaginal portion designed for the user to contract her pelvic floor muscles against and attached to said distal end of said shaft is a grasping means by which the user may apply variable force so as to maximize the force against which the user's contracted pelvic floor muscles must resist.

Abstract: An ink jet recording element is disclosed comprising a support and an ink receiver layer comprising a binder and a calcium phosphate pigment showing the whitlockite crystal structure. Improved ink absorptivity and drying time are obtained.

Abstract: An assembly for repelling birds from a selected area and having a rotor rotatably mounted on the distal end of a support member, the proximate end of which is fixed within the selected area. Fins and vents on the rotor are responsive to wind currents to rotate the rotor and generate bird repelling noises and visual effects. The fins may include light reflective and/or other design indicia.

Abstract: A method has been described for preparing an ultrathin tabular grain emulsion rich in silver bromide, having {111} major faces, wherein tabular grains having a thickness of less than 0.08 &mgr;m exhibit an average aspect ratio of more than 5:1 and account for at least 75% by number of hexagonal grains and a coefficient of variation on average equivalent surface area of less than 0.50. The process is characterized in that during formation, (a) pH is maintained from 0.8 to 10; (b) a gelatino-peptizer is present in a concentration of 0 to 50 g per liter of dispersing medium, and (c) pBr having a value of at least 1.8 is maintained during grain nucleation and pBr is maintained at less than 2.4 during growth provided that a gelatin peptizer which is free from calcium ions and has a methionine content of less than 30 micromoles per gram of gelatino-peptizer is present.

Abstract: Highly efficient ZnS:Mn phosphors can be obtained by using triazole or diazole compounds during homogeneous precipitation in aqueous medium. Coated layers containing such phosphors can be incorporated in Thin Film Inorganic Light Emitting Diodes.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic film element has been disclosed, said element comprising on a light-sensitive side of a transparent polyester support, and, in order, an electrically conductive subbing layer, an antihalation undercoat, a light-sensitive emulsion layer or multilayer arrangement, optionally including one or more intermediate, non-light-sensitive layers between emulsion layers in said multilayer arrangement, and a protective overcoat; and on a backing layer side opposite thereto, in order, a subbing layer containing a lubricant and a topcoat layer, characterized in that on the light-sensitive side of said element said subbing layer comprises an antistatic agent providing a substantially unchanged electrical resistivity of the said element before and after processing of said material, and said antihalation undercoat optionally comprises a high temperature boiling solvent; whereas on the backing layer side a friction coefficient of the backing layer versus stainless steel remains unchanged in the rang

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided by which a sheet-forming web may be characterized in four dimensions. Light images of the web are recorded at a point adjacent the initial stage of the web, for example, near the headbox in a paperforming operation. The images are digitized, and the resulting data is processed by novel algorithms to provide a four-dimensional measurement of the web. The measurements include two-dimensional spatial information, the intensity profile of the web, and the depth profile of the web. These measurements can be used to characterize the web, predict its properties and monitor production events, and to analyze and quantify headbox flow dynamics.

Abstract: A system to determine the location of a person within a structure utilizes a magnetometer, magnets, pressure sensors and a CPU to calculate the length and direction of each step. The data may be displayed to the wearer, preferably on a map or floorplan and may be broadcast to persons outside the structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the manufacture of a substrate for use in the production of lithographic printing plates, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing an aluminum substrate; (b) graining at least one surface of the substrate; (c) applying an anodic layer to the at least one grained surface; (d) treating the at least one grained and anodized surface with an aqueous solution comprising at least one salt of a metal from Group IB, IIB, IVA, IVB, VB, VIA, VIB, VIIB or VIII of the Periodic Table; and (e) treating the at least one treated surface with an aqueous solution comprising at least one orthophosphate salt of an alkali metal.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle provided with an internal combustion engines and at least one auxiliary hydraulic mechanism, a system is provided that integrates pressurizing hydraulic fluid for the auxiliary hydraulic mechanism using of heat energy from the engine exhaust gases, and using the inertial energy from the voluntary slowing of the speed of the engine, as well as assisting in the starting system of the engine. The system includes a gas turbine (1), hydraulic pump (2), hydraulic accumulator (3), microcomputer (10), a hydraulic machined(11), a mechanical transmission (12), a tank (13) and piping, sensors and valves. A hydraulic transmission is positioned between the gas turbine (1) and the hydraulic accumulator (3), and a reverse hydraulic transmission is positioned between the shaft of the engine (15) and the hydraulic accumulator (3), so that the auxiliary hydraulic mechanism (14) can be fed with hydraulic liquid under pressure from the hydraulic accumulator (3).

Abstract: An improvement in the design of gumball dispensing mechanisms is described, and, more specifically, resides in the size and shape of the gumball dispensing openings formed through the dispensing wheel. In one embodiment, the openings are generally arcuate shaped, and in another embodiment they are generally “peanut” shaped. In either case, the openings are designed to dispense two large gumballs, relatively jam-free, for each use of the gumball machine by a customer.

Abstract: A method and system for separating oil form oil-absorbent materials for recycle of both the oil and the materials. The method comprises placing the oil absorbent material on a grid over a catch basin to drain, then centrifuging the material to remove additional excess oil. The excess oil is processed to separate water, grit, dirt, metal chips and shavings from it so that it can be sent to a refinery. After centrifuging to remove excess oils, the materials are dry cleaned in doubly distilled dry cleaning fluid to remove additional oil so that the materials can be reused.

Abstract: The gas mixture is fed in a circulating stream at a volume flow rate of 3-120 l/min, the mixture being cleaned and its temperature and qualitative and quantitative composition regulated. The gas mixture contains oxygen and at least one of the following gases in quantities of up to 95%: helium, argon, neon, krypton, xenon, radon, nitrogen, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, or a mixture of these gases. Pharmaceutical preparations can also be introduced into the breathing mixture, and the level of inhaled carbon dioxide can be adjusted with the aid of the exhaled carbon dioxide. The apparatus has a circulation loop comprising connecting pipes, a respirator bag, flow booster, temperature regulator, and at least one absorption unit for absorbing the carbon dioxide, moisture, and harmful trace contamination exhaled by the patient.

Abstract: A transpedicular screw having a round head and thin neck so that when the head encounters resistence, such as the harder cortex of a pedicle, it bends toward the softer axis of the pedical, thus avoiding violation of the pedicle cortex. The screw is inserted following the formation of a hole toward the pedical axis using a guide rod and a pin. Preferably this hole is made at an angle of approximately 35° with respect to the perpendicular and extends just to the pedical. The screw has a threaded body behind the neck and a tail formed to receive a tool that facilitates rotation of the screw into the pedical.