Abstract: A comprehensive oral hygiene device preferably having a multi-headed oral care brush disposed at one end of an elongated handle and a manufacturing process therefor. The oral care brush of the present invention has at lease one head and preferably two heads which are disposed in angular, generally opposing coactive relationship to each other. Each of the opposing heads is integrally formed on an independently manufactured flexible arm and each arm is subsequently attached to the elongated handle. The attachment of the arms to the handle involves a secondary process called overmolding. Overmolding in this case involves the placement of the arms in a secondary mold in operative position against the end of the handle. Then, a soft, preferably rubber-like material is injected into the secondary mold and surrounds elongated portions of the arms and the handle. When cured and removed from the secondary mold, the rubber-like material secures the arms in operative position against the handle.

Abstract: An audio label comprising a circuit board substrate with a sound-generating microchip and a photovoltaic cell both attached to the substrate such that the microchip is electrically connected to the photovoltaic cell so that power is provided to the sound-generating microchip. A sound reproduction unit is also attached to the substrate and is connected to the sound-generating microchip communicates signals to the sound reproduction unit which are then converted by the sound reproduction unit to audible sounds. A system for audio label operation is also disclosed. The system includes a separate transmitter which transmits electromagnetic waves, such as light, infrared or radio waves to one or more audio labels which have electromagnetic wave receiving circuit elements, such as phototransistors disposed thereon. The transmitter thus sends wave signals to each label each of which then converts the wave signals to electric signals which each sound reproduction unit then converts to audible sounds.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an automated composting apparatus which includes a rotatable drum assembly mounted to a chassis which is adapted to provide wheeled transportability for the entire composting apparatus. Automation is provided primarily by a feedback control system having at least one sensor disposed inside the rotatable drum assembly, and being disposed to control the temperature and flow of air and/or water into the composting materials disposed in the rotatable drum assembly. The interior of the rotatable drum assembly has several unique features including a plurality of stationary dispensers mounted to a stationary, substantially hollow axle. The dispensers are adapted to disperse air and/or water into the compost material as the compost material is moved in and through the rotatable drum assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of antifungal agents and a pharmaceutical preparation containing those agents which appear to be potentially useful in the field of antifungal therapy. More particularly, this invention relates to the discovery of remarkably unexpected properties for a series of macrocyclic lactone polyethers (spongistatins) which are derived from the marine sponges Spongia sp. and Spirastrella spinispirulifera and which inhibited growth of yeasts and filamentous fungi in disk diffusion and broth macrodilution (for spongistatin 1) assays. Spongistatins 2-7 likewise demonstrated antifungal activity in disk diffusion methods.

Abstract: A litter box and pivotal sifting device assembly having an open base portion and a pivotally movable sifting device operably attached thereto. The base portion also has a litter holding wing portion operatively associated therewith and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom. The pivotal sifting device is initially disposed beneath a layer of loose litter material. Thereafter, the sifting device is pivotally movable up through the litter material to collect clumped absorbent litter and fecal matter wastes thereupon while permitting loose litter material to pass therethrough. The sifting device is pivoted still further to deliver the wastes to a disposal site.

Abstract: An oral hygiene device having, in one embodiment, a unique, unrestricted, self-adjusting two-headed gum-specific brush on one end of a handle; and in another embodiment, a two-headed gumbrush on one end of an elongated handle and a toothbrush on the opposite end of the handle. A tongue scraper may also be included on the toothbrush end of the device.

Abstract: A bathtub step assembly for use in bathing disabled persons. The step assembly has a plurality of planar surfaces disposed in spaced, generally parallel relationship to each other, the uppermost planar surface being coplanar with the top surface of the bathtub wall or walls that it is disposed adjacent to. The uppermost planar surface is also specifically shaped to provide adequate human buttocks support when the human buttocks engages the uppermost planar surface both when the human is disposed thereon with his/her back facing the bathtub and when the buttocks are pivoted approximately one-quarter turn to be in feet-first ingress position relative to the bathtub.

Abstract: A magnetic vibrator sub-assembly for a vibratory feed device is described which provides uniform directional motion to component parts placed on its upper member through coaction of the upper member with an alternately energized electromagnetic field and restorative spring forces. The structure of the present invention involves the interconnection of a lower member and an upper member by one or more flat springs. The flat springs are angularly disposed between and support the upper member in superposed spaced, generally parallel relationship above the lower member. The springs are connected to both the lower and upper members in rabbet-type indentations such that the springs are confined by retaining barriers above, below and on the lateral edges of the springs. An electromagnetic coil is attached to the lower member and is employed to alternately flex and release the flat springs by alternately magnetically attracting (i.e., pulling down) and releasing the upper member.

Abstract: A bolo tie or the like device for displaying ornamentation and/or identification thereon. The present bolo tie-type device has a cord member of sufficient length to pass behind the wearer's neck and provide two depending ends therefrom and a display/securing member having a front surface and a back surface, the front surface being suitable to support decorative and/or identifying indicia thereupon, the back surface having securing means defined thereon for holding the display/securing member in a preselected position relative to the depending ends of the cord member and preventing involuntary movement thereof regardless of the wearer's activity. The securing means comprises a plurality of strategically disposed post members for receiving the depending ends of the cord member therethrough in secure, non-slipping relationship therewith.

Abstract: A portable woodworking assembly for use in supporting wooden workpieces and portable power tools for cutting, shaping and forming the workpieces with the portable power tools. This assembly includes a frame sub-assembly; one or more tool support structures including clamping structures for fixedly attaching the tool support structure to the frame sub-assembly and alternative slide structures which engage the frame sub-assembly for movably guiding a portable power tool relative thereto; and a workboard sub-assembly operatively associated with the frame sub-assembly to support a workpiece relative thereto and selectively position said workpiece relative to the portable power tool so that the power tool may engage the workpiece in the desired fashion.

Abstract: An illuminated vehicle display device comprising a flat back plate having a light source disposed thereon, and a front, box-like housing member which has a rearwardly disposed opening so that the housing member encloses the light source when it is detachably attached to the flat back plate. The front housing member has a partially translucent/transparent (i.e. partially non-opaque) panel disposed in a window defined through its front wall. A plurality of protruding tab members defined on the inside faces of one or more walls of the housing member coact with a plurality of corresponding slots defined in the back plate to simply, securely and detachably snap fasten the housing member to the back plate. Electrical power wires threaded through a hole in the back plate are used to connect the light source to an external power supply. The back plate is mountable to a vehicle license plate mounting assembly.

Abstract: A litter box assembly comprising an open base portion having a litter holding wing portion extending upwardly therefrom and operatively associated therewith and a removable sifting device disposed therein beneath a layer of loose litter material disposed thereupon. The sifting device is removable from the base portion to remove clumped and fecal matter therefrom while permitting loose litter material to pass therethrough. The assembly is readily restored to a clean and ready for use condition by rotating the assembly onto the first and second wall portions of the wing portion whereupon in response to gravitational forces, the loose granular litter material flows into the wing portion and the sifting device is placed in the bottom of the base portion which is then recovered with the loose granular material by rotating the assembly from its position on the wall portions of the wing portion to an at-rest position on said base portion.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a highly sensitive non-contact force microscope having a coaxial cantilever-tip configuration and a method of forming such configuration. The non-contact microscope obtains high resolution graphical images of a sample surface topography, and/or other properties thereof including its electrostatic, magnetic, or Van der Waals forces.

Abstract: A musical instrument case containing one or more amplifiers and a plurality of speakers is described. The consolidated case comprises a substantially rectangular base portion having a recess configured to receive and retain a musical instrument therewithin. Pivotally attached to the base portion are first and second triangular cover members that are coactively adapted to fold over and completely cover or enclose the base portion leaving no exposed gaps.

Abstract: Blended cement compositions for mixture with aggregate and water to prepare cementitious products. Such blended cement compositions contain cement, calcined diatomaceous earth, calcined kaolin, and about 0.5% to about 4% (w/w) of potassium, with or without talc and/or bentonite or their functional equivalents. Admixtures for blending into cement to create such blended cements or their read-mix equivalents contain calcined kaolin, calcined diatomaceous earth, and potassium, with or without talc and/or bentonite or their functional equivalents.