Abstract: A toilet brush having a handle portion and a scrubbing portion is provided. A flexible connection is provided between the handle portion and the scrubbing portion. A deflection limiter is located in proximity to the connection which limits deflection of the scrubbing portion in a first direction relative to the handle portion.

Abstract: A power supply unit of the present invention comprises a group of batteries including plural rows of cells arranged in parallel, each row of cells including plural cylindrical cells connected in series. The power supply unit further comprises refrigerant passages comprising main refrigerant passages exposed to the cells arranged in each row of cells and auxiliary refrigerant passages, the upstream sides of the auxiliary refrigerant passages being isolated from the rows of cells, and the downstream sides thereof being connected to the main refrigerant passages at positions corresponding to the midstream or downstream sides of the rows of cells.

Abstract: An inverter(3) for driving a motor(4) of an electric automobile(20) produces a three-phase PWM current. When the torque reference is zero, alternatively or when the torque reference is zero and motor speed is no higher than a predetermined value, the inverter(3) is controlled to be cut off so that current from a main power battery(9) is suspended or stopped.

Abstract: A scalpel blade remover removes a blade from the tang of a scalpel. The scalpel is inserted in, and withdrawn from, the blade remover along the same substantially straight-line path. The blade remover has a rocker block which pivots about an axis transverse to the insertion path. When the scalpel is inserted into the blade remover, its tang pushes against a contact surface of the rocker block, causing the rocker block to pivot. A pair of legs at the other end of the rocker block apply a transverse force to the heel of the blade on either side of the tang, thereby lifting the heel of the blade off the tang. When the scalpel has been inserted far enough, a pawl drops behind the heel of the blade. The pawl strips the blade from the tang when the scalpel handle is removed. The blade remover is typically mounted in the lid of a sharps container.

Abstract: A thermal insulating foamed material is a polyurethane foam having closed cells, and produced by mixing, agitating and foaming a polyol, a polyisocyanate, a foam stabilizer, a catalyst, a blowing agent and a carbon dioxide adsorbent. The carbon dioxide adsorbent is produced by mixing and granulating powders of at least one member of alkali metal hydroxides and alkaline-earth metal hydroxides and organic or inorganic powders having a water absorbing property and soaked with water in advance, and formed by a resin film, such as a methacrylic acid ester, which is permeable to carbon dioxide but hardly permeable to water.

Abstract: An attack repellent holder for securing an attack repellant device to a user's hand is provided. The attack repellant device includes a canister of attack repellent. The attack repellant holder includes a body having a cavity defined therein. The cavity is adapted for a close conforming fit to an exterior portion of the canister of attack repellent. A plurality of finger rings are attached to the body. The finger rings are positioned such that a user's fingers can be inserted in the finger rings to secure the device to a user's hand.

Abstract: A toner image fixing device in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus has a heating roller containing a heater and a backup roller, a surface of which is in contact with a surface of the heating roller. A toner image on the paper is fixed by causing the paper to pass through a contacting portion of the heating roller and the backup roller. The toner image fixing device also has a driving device for supplying driving power to the heating roller or the backup roller to rotate both the heating roller and the backup roller, and a controller. The controller controls the driving section in such a way that both the heating roller and the backup roller begin to rotate intermittently immediately after an electric power supply switch of the apparatus is turned on and heat generation from the heater is initiated, and subsequently begin to rotate continuously when the backup roller achieves one revolution by the intermittent rotation.

Abstract: A multiple loop antenna is provided which may be connected to either a transmit circuit, a receive circuit, or a transmit/receive circuit. When powered by a transmit circuit, the antenna generates radio frequency magnetic fields in an area or zone proximate to the antenna, but which are substantially canceled at a distance approximately one wavelength and more from the antenna, thereby defining a surveillance zone proximate to the antenna. The loop antenna includes a first, upper loop and a second, lower loop. The upper and loser loops lie in separate, spaced, parallel planes and are preferably disposed at a fixed angle with respect to the surveillance zone.

Abstract: The invention includes methods of isolating DNA and a protein encoded thereby, the protein being capable of binding to an antigen-bearing moiety. The methods comprise generating a DNA library expressing the protein in a virus vector. A magnetic label is added to cells expressing the antigen-bearing moiety and the cells are incubated with virus expressing the protein in the presence of an excess of unlabeled cells which do not express the antigen-bearing moiety to form a mixture, wherein the virus binds to the magnetically labeled cells. Cells having virus bound thereon are isolated from the mixture and DNA encoding the protein and the protein are obtained therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention is an expandable tear drop shaped bladder toy gun for subsequent ejection of liquid therefrom. It includes a main housing having a liquid ejection nozzle, a handle and a trigger, as well as an inflatable tear drop shaped bladder connected to or encompassed in the main housing, and includes a single inlet/outlet tube connected to the bladder. There is also a storage tank for supplying liquid, e.g. water, thereto, as well as a hand pump connected to both the storage tank and the bladder. The pump is physically connected to the housing and functionally connected to the storage tank and the bladder inlet. There is a bladder release valve having an upstream side and a downstream side. The bladder release valve is connected to the bladder outlet at the valve's upstream side, and is connected to the trigger for opening and closing thereof, and is connected to the nozzle at the valve's downstream side for subsequent liquid ejection when the trigger is pulled.

Abstract: A locking device for a trailer and hitch of the ball and socket type, comprising an upper jaw and a lower jaw interconnected together by a shaft for reciprocal movement relative to each other. A locking mechanism keeps the two jaws apart at fixed distances over a ribbed portion of the shaft. In use, the two jaws are locked about the socket portion of the hitch to prevent unauthorized removal of the trailer. When the trailer is attached to a tow vehicle, the tow ball nut is received in an opening in the lower jaw. When the trailer is unattached, a dummy ball extends into the socket of the hitch. In both position, the socket portion of the hitch is received in an aperture in the upper jaw.

Abstract: Polyionic derivatives of cyclodextrins and methods for preparing these derivatives are provided in which a polyionic derivative of cyclodextrin is combined with a growth factor, preferably a heparin binding growth factor. These compositions are of low solubility and are applied directly to the location of a wound. By virtue of the low solubility, the compositions remain in place at the site of application and slowly release growth factor. In an alternative embodiment, the cyclodextrin derivatives are administered in the absence of growth factor and are used to absorb growth factor present in the body at the location of the wound in order to prevent overstimulation of the wound response.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed which comprises a semiconductor substrate and an insulating film disposed on the substrate. The insulating film is a oxynitride film prepared by nitriding a thermal oxide film, which has been formed on the substrate, in an atmosphere of nitriding gas. The nitriding is conducted for a nitridation time of 10.sup.6.6-T.sbsb.N.sup./225 seconds or shorter wherein T.sub.N is the nitridation temperature in degree centigrade, or conducted so as to have a nitrogen concentration of about 8 atomic % or less, at least in the vicinity of the interface between the nitride oxynitride film and the substrate. Also disclosed is a method for the production of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A method for disposal of a thermosetting resin containing a material, at least part of which is affected by an alkaline aqueous solution, is disclosed. It comprises at least two steps of including a step of immersing the molded product in an alkaline aqueous solution and a subsequent step of immersing the molded product in water. This method does not require a high temperature as required in a thermal decomposition and does not generate any exhaust gas, and consumes only small energy.

Abstract: A branched alkylsilane includes a branched hydrocarbon backbone which has a linear or branched alkylsilyl moiety extending asymmetrically from the backbone such that the backbone has a first portion and a second portion extending from the moiety. The second portion has two carbon atoms more than the first portion, and the alkylsilyl moiety includes at least one hydrolyzable group bound to silicon for reacting with a substrate. A method for preparing a branched alkylsilane useful for chromatographic applications includes the steps of preparing a vinylidene olefin by dimerization of an .alpha.-olefin and reacting it with a monomeric silane having a silicon-hydrogen bond in the presence of a metallic catalyst such that the silicon-hydrogen bond is added to the vinylidene double bond of the vinylidene olefin thereby converting the double bond to a single bond and bonding the silicon of the monomeric silane to the vinylidene olefin to form a branched alkylsilane.

Abstract: Therapeutic treatment as well as prophylactic measures are provided by topical application of compositions containing an aryl 2-acetoxyethanoic acid to eradicate or prevent the development of axillary foul odor, foot malodor and other body odors, e.g. scalp, and skin, nail and follicular infections caused by microorganisms. The compositions are antimicrobial against several organisms that infect the skin and are specifically effective against P. acnes. The compositions are therapeutically effective against folliculitis and perifolliculitis and are useful for other skin lesions, nail and mucosal infections such as impetigo, seborrheic dermatitis, erythrasma and trichomycosis axillaris, associated with or caused by microorganisms. The therapeutic effect of the composition may be synergized or amplified by it incorporating a cosmetic or dermatologic agent into the formulation for topical treatment of cosmetic and dermatologic indications.

Abstract: A movable container which includes a body with a lower portion, a middle portion, and a top portion. The top portion includes a cup, and at least one wheel is rotatably mounted on the lower portion of the body. The wheel contacts a support surface and rotates relative to the body causing the cup to move along the support surface. A brake system is mounted on the body adjacent the at least one wheel for engaging the at least one wheel and restricting rotation the wheel.

Abstract: A cement composition comprising fine aggregate, preferably sand, in an amount of about 10 to about 25 wt %; blast furnace slag cement, in an amount of about 20 to about 35 wt %; gypsum, in an amount of about 20 to about 35 wt %; Portland cement, in an amount of about 4 to about 30 wt %; and cement plasticizer in an amount of about 0.3 to about 3 wt %. The dry cement composition may be formulated with aggregate and water to prepare a flowable liquid, self-leveling and self-smoothing coating material that may be applied to a substrate such as a floor substrate. The applied coating requires no manual finishing or smoothing, yet hardens to form a level, very smooth coating that possesses excellent compressive strength.

Abstract: There is provided a fluorocarbon compound-hydrogen storage alloy composite which has a sufficient water-repellent property and can efficiently absorb a hydrogen gas. The composite comprises hydrogen storage alloy particles which have a plated metal film covering at least a part of the particles, the plated metal film containing at least one fine particle of a fluorocarbon compound. Examples of the metal used for plating include Ni, Cu, Co, Ni-P, Ni-W, Ni-W-P, Ni-B, Ni-W-B, Cu-Ni, Cu-P, Co-P, Co-B, and Co-W. Polytetrafluoroethylene is preferably used for the fluorocarbon compound. The fluorocarbon compound hydrogen storage alloy composite is prepared by electrolytically plating the hydrogen storage alloy particles in a pyrophosphate bath with fine particles of a fluorocarbon compound dispersed therein.