Abstract: Disclosed is a straw that consists of a fluid tube including a upstanding continuous sidewall having a proximal end forming an outlet, and an opposing distal end forming an inlet. The outlet and the inlet allow liquids to be drawn through the fluid tube from the distal end to the proximal end under suction pressure. A port extends through the continuous sidewall adjacent the proximal end thereof. The outlet defines a first size, the inlet defines a second size, and the port defines a third size. The second size is at least one of equal to and greater than the first size, and the third size is at least one of equal to and greater than the first size.

Abstract: A method of fabricating metal oxide TFTs on transparent substrates includes the steps of positioning an opaque gate metal area on the front surface of the substrate, depositing transparent gate dielectric and transparent metal oxide semiconductor layers overlying the gate metal and a surrounding area, depositing transparent passivation material on the semiconductor material, depositing photoresist on the passivation material, exposing and developing the photoresist to remove exposed portions, etching the passivation material to leave a passivation area defining a channel area, depositing transparent conductive material over the passivation area, depositing photoresist over the conductive material, exposing and developing the photoresist to remove unexposed portions, and etching the conductive material to leave source and drain areas on opposed sides of the channel area.

Abstract: A method of playing a team sport in which two teams attempt to score goals at opposite ends of a court, the method includes providing a court and rules determining the layout of the court, the length of time for a game and various plays during the game, and penalties. The game is started on the court with a game ball and two teams and either of the two teams upon gaining possession of the game ball becomes the possessing team and the other of the two teams becomes the opposing team. The possessing team must pass the ball between the possessing team's players a minimum number of times before an attempted shot on the opposing team's goal is made, and any player on the possessing team must not possess the ball for a time greater than a time specified by the rules.

Abstract: Balloon pleating mechanism includes a plurality of pleating dies, each having a first planar guiding surface, a second planar guiding surface, a bearing surface, a first working surface, and a second working surface. The plurality of pleating dies are arranged in a generally circular orientation with the first planar guiding surface of each die being in sliding contact with the second planar guiding surface of an adjacent die and the first working surface and the second working surface of each die of the plurality of dies cooperating to define a central cavity. The plurality of pleating dies is further arranged for relative radial movement between an open position and a closed position. A driving mechanism is coupled to each die and designed to move the plurality of dies between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A full color display comprising a red, a green, and a blue light emitting diode, each light emitting diode including a light emitting region having at least one layer of single crystal rare earth material, the rare earth material in each of the light emitting diodes having at least one radiative transition, and the rare earth material producing a radiation wavelength of approximately 640 nm in the red light emitting diode, 540 nm in the green light emitting diode, and 460 nm in the blue light emitting diode. Generally, the color of each LED is determined by selecting a rare earth with a radiative transition producing a radiation wavelength at the selected color. In cases where the rare earth has more than one radiative transition, tuned mirrors can be used to select the desired color.

Abstract: A bucket includes a first volume defined by a continuous primary sidewall extending from a periphery of a first bottom to a primary rim and has a flattened portion extending from the periphery of the first bottom to a subjacent portion of the primary rim. An inner surface of the flattened portion of the primary sidewall is textured to form a paint roller grid. A second volume is defined by a continuous secondary sidewall extending from a periphery of a second bottom to a secondary rim and has a flattened portion extending from the periphery of the second bottom to a subjacent portion of the secondary rim adjacent the subjacent portion of the primary rim. An edge couples the subjacent portion of the secondary rim and the subjacent portion of the primary rim.

Abstract: A barrel nut for coupling a barrel of a firearm to a receiver includes a body having a first end, an opposing second end, and an outer surface. A bore extends centrally through the body from the first end to the second end. A plurality of heat conducting fins extends radially outwardly from the outer surface of the body. A fastening element fastens the breach end of the barrel nut to the receiver.

Abstract: A loading device including a guide frame, a drive mechanism and a lift mechanism. The guide frame includes a pair of spaced apart upright members each having a slot formed therethrough. The drive mechanism is coupled to the guide frame and has a shaft received concurrently through the slots of the guide frame, a sprocket mounted on the shaft, a belt member wrapped about the sprocket and having opposing ends anchored to the guide frame, and a motor coupled to the shaft for reciprocating the shaft vertically within the slots between an upper position and a lower position. Movement of the shaft toward the upper position produces rotation of the shaft in a first direction and a movement of the shaft toward the lower position rotates the shaft in an opposing direction. The lift mechanism is coupled to the drive mechanism and includes a pair of arms each having an end coupled to the shaft and another end coupled to a carriage.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for suppressing muzzle blast and/or muzzle crack in a weapon. An apparatus for reducing muzzle blast upon discharge of one or more projectiles from a gun includes an outer shell and a first end cap adapted to be secured to a muzzle of a weapon and including provisions for detachably coupling to a first end of the outer shell. The apparatus further includes a second end cap adapted to be secured to a distal end of the outer shell and a plurality of baffles disposed between the first end cap and the second end cap. The plurality of baffles each comprise a bore section having an inner diameter no smaller than a bore of the muzzle and a baffle section coupled to the bore section, the baffle section extending from the bore section to the outer shell.