Abstract: The buying and selling of commodities online in a disciplined manner can be initiated by either a prospective buyer or prospective seller in a variety of auction types each of which supports the negotiation of various terms including payment, delivery, quantity and quality. The initiating party registers as either buyer or seller with a central authority and provides requisite information including commodity specification, which may be qualitative as well as quantitative, and desired delivery terms, which may be specified using formats for several basic options. The type of auction is also specified using an option format beginning with a selection from a plurality of basic types determined by direction of price movement, whether the initiating party is a buyer or seller, and related duration constraints. Sale is determined by acceptance of a bid or offer setting an agreed upon price, quantity, delivery and payment terms.

Abstract: Reminding of the owner of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port connectible device that the same has been left connected to a USB port of a powered computer is provided by an alarm disposed on a portable base for the device activated by cessation of reception of a limited range radio frequency (RF) signal. Transmission is powered by the computer through the USB port. The portable base has an independent power source for reception/alarm circuitry preferably switched on by separation of a USB port connectible device and/or signalling attachment from the portable base and switched off by physical reunion of the same. Alarm activation while retrieving the USB port connectible device from the USB port of a computer is avoided with an alarm activation delay exceeding in duration a transmission interval minimizing the likelihood of RF signal interference between multiple proximate reminders or other signals of the same RF.

Abstract: Large parallel and angular misalignment capabilities between coupled rotary shafts are provided in a torsionally rigid coupling by slidable and rotatable medial mounting of each of two radial, axially spaced, perpendicularly disposed torque pins through axially spaced radially perpendicular apertures through an axial connector and slidably trapping each end of each radial torque pin in an arcuate path between two apposed arms of one of two radially opposed forks projecting inwardly about either end of the axial connector from one of two yoked hubs. The perpendicular relation of the torque pins and slidable and rotatable medial mounting through the axial connector with ends trapped in opposed arcuate paths between radially opposed forks of each yoked hub allows displacement of the torque pins, with respect to the axial connector or the yoked hubs, about three mutually perpendicular axes thereby accommodating parallel and angular misalignment between coupled rotary shafts.

Abstract: A full size fully articulated doll possessing visual and postural verisimilitude with that of an adult human female is provided selectively displayed alternative faces with exchange of faces masks or heads. Articulation is provided by an internal skeleton having movable joints between rigid members. A flexible resilient material inclusive of silicone rubber is used for simulated skin inclusive of the faces. A rigid moldable material inclusive of epoxy is used for a simulated skull possessing a movable jaw that can be displaced mechanically. An audio device can be added to provide aural verisimilitude in conjunction with the movable jaw and artificial eyeballs can also be displaced mechanically. A moderately soft resilient material inclusive of polyurethane foam is used for simulated flesh. Alternatively selected faces enable variation of appearance inclusive of both expression and genotype.

Abstract: A guard for a valve upon a buried fluid line prevents earth entering the opposed arches or the bottom of a conventional casing during installation about and above the valve permitting access after filling of the excavated cavity for the fluid line. Alignment of the casing with the valve and the fluid line is also facilitated with an upward facing bore of an upward extending upward portion of the guard which permits insertion of the end of a length of conduit during installation and allows passage of the end of a wrench in operation of the buried valve. A longitudinal cavity open at the bottom and ends and continuous with the bore is defined by a lower portion of the guard. Opposed ends extend into the opposed arches of the casing, protect the fluid line from a descendant arch, and serve as guides for casing disposition. Two lateral pairs of stabilizers extending outwardly from either end stabilize the guard with respect to the casing and the fluid line.

Abstract: Parallel and reflective coding structures inclusive of data from both parties to a transaction are propagated beginning with an algorithm derived maker's code, an item code unique to and associated with a single article made by a maker, and data identifying both the maker and the legitimate acquirer. Use of secure hash algorithms, single and double key encryption are suggested to obtain two virtually irreversible parallel coding structures that reflect the identities of the current and previous owner and are also mathematically reflective in that one code is derivable by either code structure in verification of both authenticity and ownership. Multiple modes of verification with coding printed on a receipt for the article are provided including Internet, offline computer, land line and SMS cellular telephone. Authenticity, non-repudiation, proof of legitimate ownership and provenance are provided for any article of value including pharmaceuticals and other consumable product warranting authentification.

Abstract: A full range of alphanumeric characters is obtained with two different modes upon a twelve key telephone keypad. Numerics are obtained with single keystrokes in one mode and English alphabetics obtained with single and paired keystrokes in another mode. Memory is provided in which a plurality of telephone numbers can be stored, organized, identified and retrieved by a combination of alphanumeric characters including names and abbreviations. A visual display facilitates storing and retrieval of any telephone number. Alphanumeric messages can be transmitted to, and received from, other remote telephonic devices. Any language is encompassed and use of two languages on one keypad is facilitated. Characters in one language such as English are obtained as above in one mode and characters of another language possessing considerably more characters, e.g.

Abstract: A positive mold form possessing a head portion including a reservoir portion, two bilaterally symmetric lobe portions, and a ridge line separating the head portion from a shaft portion has a perforated circumference connected to a bore in the shaft to which negative pressure is applied for holding a backing strip in position. Adhesive is applied to the exterior surface of the backing strip while negative pressure is maintained upon the same. Curing of the adhesive with a UV radiation source is suggested as if use of water soluble adhesive which is effective when immersed in isotonic fluid. An upper part of the positive mold form is coated with liquid elastomer and the resulting layer of elastomer cured with temperature reduction. Positive pressure applied to the perforated circumference effects release of the resulting elastomeric sheath, lifting the same off the positive mold form.

Abstract: Compression exerted by a clamp collar integral to a molded plastic flexible shaft coupling accommodating angular shaft misalignment upon the circumferential outward surface of a radially compressible molded sleeve insert located in a shaft bore of the flexible coupling facilitates engagement of a reduced diameter shaft located within the sleeve insert. Use of a sleeve insert having a different internal diameter similarly accommodates flexible coupling to another diameter shaft. Utilization of sleeve inserts selected from a plurality of different reduced internal diameters and exterior diameters sized to fit either shaft bore enables flexible coupling of both multiple matched shaft diameters and an exponential number of differing opposed shaft diameter combinations within a range limited by the flexible coupling shaft bores. Radial compressibility of the sleeve insert is facilitated by the utilization of resilient material, interruption of the circumferential extension by a longitudinal slot, or both.

Abstract: Envelopes and other containers intended for mail transportation possess a biological agent/toxin indicator operative upon the interior in detection of volatile bases including gaseous amines released from bacterial biological agents including Bacillus antracis, i.e. anthrax. The biological agent indicator has an acidic acid-base indicator compound that irreversibly changes color when neutralized by volatile bases. The compound is applied in liquid form to an appropriately porous substrate. A polymeric matrix is specifically suggested for this substrate. Irreversible indication of the presence of volatile bases including amines produced by live bacterial agents as toxins at temperate ambient conditions down to below freezing is provided. An indicator compound having a pH of 2-5 is recommended. Halogenated xanthene, sulphonated azo, and sulphonated hydroxy-functional triphenylmethane dyes are suggested.

Abstract: Two opposed bosses each possessing an outwardly open bore for engagement to a shaft end are bonded to either end of a single layer annularly convoluted, bellows style, hollow cylinder shielded by an exteriorly disposed cylindrical rubber sleeve. Torsional rigidity and longitudinal flexibility in torque transfer is provided by the bellows style medial member. The rubber sleeve provides vibration dampening which increases operational velocity and, more significantly, operational life by reducing vibration duration of resonant frequency by an average of fivefold with a cold fitted rubber sleeve, and tenfold with a hot fitting, about the bellows. Hot fitting melts the rubber sleeve and fills the exterior annular grooves of the bellows without the expense of molding under pressure and results in an increase of the resonant frequency and corresponding rotational speed of nearly threefold. Brass is suggested for the opposed bosses and phosphorus bronze for the bellows. Chloroprene rubber is suggested for the sleeve.

Abstract: Rapid determination of pathogen and neoplasm levels is associated with irradiation in the processing of meat in order to assure quality with regard to both desired pathogen levels and integrity of the meat minimizing the level of irradiation utilized. Rapid determination of pathogen and neoplasm level by sensitive measurement of the rate of change of electrical impedance through a sample tested in a conductivity cell is suggested. Use of ultrasonic aqueous bath of sufficient energy level to cause cavitation impingement of the exterior surfaces of the meat so immersed is also suggested. The use of ultrasound achieves accelerated natural depuration by stimulating the natural excretory processes of living shellfish and achieves microscopic cleansing of the exterior of shellfish alive or dead. Said irradiated sample is analyzed for metabolic activity of foodborne contaminants and displayed as a two or three dimensional model.

Abstract: A flexible shaft couple has two terminal components and one medial component. Each terminal component has a shaft bore open to a nether end face and a transverse extension of an opposed adjacent end face possessing an external substantially cylindrical surface spaced apart from by a reduced width foot. The medial component has two perpendicular transverse cavities each possessing an internal substantially cylindrical surface open to one of two opposed adjacent end faces. Both external and both internal cylindrical surfaces include an equivalent diameter greater than the width of the opening of each transverse cavity which exceeds the width of the reduced width foot. Two perpendicular substantially cylindrical engagements are provided which together accommodate large lateral and large angular shaft misalignments. Each terminal component has a body molded by a radially aligned two part mold leaving a part line bisecting the transverse extension and the reduced width foot.

Abstract: A binary code printed upon documents and articles includes: an origin code referring to pertinent data including category, creator identity, creation time; and an algorithm derived authentification code based upon the origin code. A world wide web (WWW) accessible registry provides authentification with input of the origin and authentification codes. A third ownership code possesses status which is similarly accessible. The authentification code is verified algorithmically from the origin code. Ownership code status indicates, at minimum, ‘home’ or ‘field’ for paper currency and ‘inventory’ or ‘sold’ for goods which status is only modifiable by authorized access. For suitable categories a secret code is available to the first purchaser after authorized release from inventory with WWW input of the printed origin and authentification binary code. This secret code is inaccessible without input of the full trinary code including the secret code.

Abstract: Improved adhesion of platinum (Pt) alloy electrode deposition upon end surfaces of a cylindrical glass biological conductivity testing cell with mechanical resistance and chemical purity is obtained with removal of glass surface material in areas of Pt alloy deposition. Removal of surface material from the entire area of Pt alloy deposition by abrasion to a depth equivalent to the thickness of the deposition immediately prior to Pt alloy deposition obtains: (a) a chemically virgin surface without contaminants; (b) a uniform surface variation resisting shear displacement of the electrode; (c) disposition of the resulting electrode wholly within the overall cylindrical cell dimensions; (d) elimination of exposed edges of the electrode. Grooves effected with rotary abrasion upon interior and exterior end surfaces which are evenly spaced radially and axially with respect to the cylindrical structure provide resistance to displacement of the Pt alloy film.

Abstract: A cylinder possessing an externally threaded lower end mating an internally threaded drain collar bore seated in the top end of an upright hub drain is threaded into the bore and the elevation of the top end of the cylinder elevationally adjusted with respect to the hub drain. A gasket is compressed between the top face of the drain collar and the bottom surface of a rigid plate which is then secured to the top of the upright cylinder. An annular interior corner of the bottom surface of the plate inside the periphery of the plate locates an annular gasket in the desired disposition. Location of the plate upon the top of the cylinder may be assisted by matching sets of locating pins and holes utilizing a cylinder with a closed top end and the plate may be secured to the top of the cylinder by a bolt passed through an aperture through the plate and threaded into a tapped cavity of the closed top end of a cylinder.

Abstract: A keyboard having fewer keys than the characters available utilizes linked sequences of keystrokes in generation of some characters. Other characters may be produced with one keystroke. The difference between linked keystrokes and independent keystrokes both made in sequence is determined by either the length of the interval between keystrokes or use of a delimiting key. A threshold level for the interval between keystrokes which decides whether two sequential keystrokes are linked or not may be set by the user or may be automatically determined with the use of an adaptive predictive algorithm. It is generally suggested that pairs of keys be linked, particularly adjacent pairs of keys in a fixed configuration, and that the characters generated by either a single keystroke of a given key or the characters generated by two linked keystrokes be represented upon the keyboard in a disposition which facilitates intuitive learning of the keyboard.

Abstract: A water based cleaning solvent primarily containing urea hydrochloride and also containing, in lesser amounts, an amphoteric and/or nonionic surfactant, an ethylamine, and a lesser amount of corrosion inhibitor based upon butyne cleans stainless steel and aluminum surfaces, especially exterior and interior surfaces associated with transportation of both materials, edible and otherwise, and people, most particularly railway transportation comprehensive of both tanks for liquids and other containers for fluent materials, and also including passenger rail cars possessing polycarbonate glazed acrylic windows. This solvent is proposed as a replacement for phosphate based cleaners as an environmentally superior alternative and when used in a conventional pressurized spraying system is effective in obtaining a bright finish on stainless steel and aluminum surfaces with consequent corrosion of neither of these nor polycarbonate surfaces if present.

Abstract: Securement of a condom to the glans penis is facilitated by a pair of bilaterally symmetric areas provided for the lobes of the glans penis. It is recommended that the bilateral convex shape of the two lobes of the glans penis be adhered to by a close fitting shape molded into the condom which will resist accidental upward displacement. A viscous layer upon the interior surface enhances the suction characteristics in providing a greater cohesion coefficient between the condom and the skin contacted. A plurality of vacuum cups molded into the interior surface of the condom is also suggested. An expansible seminal fluid reservoir is provided, preferably located between the lobes of the glans are upon the tip of the condom. The resistance to accidental upward displacement provided by the suction areas adhered to the glans permit the condom to be severely abbreviated in length which allows greater sensitivity and a stronger condom more resistant to tearing during use than a conventional full length latex condom.

Abstract: An arcuate duct has an inlet continuous with a housing about a blower and an outlet perpendicular to the blower which further has a lip directing the air flow perpendicularly. The arcuate duct transforms an air flow intake along an X axis smoothly to air flow parallel a Y axis and the outlet lip directs the air flow parallel a Z axis given a horizontal disposition of the arcuate duct main body which utilized in a desktop PC. A vertical disposition is utilized in a tower type PC. In either case the blower is disposed adjacent an opening in the rear of the PC enclosure created by removing a removable panel and the arcuate main duct body is positioned between the IC cards and HDD on one side and the PC enclosure on the other side, being slightly compressed between the two to maintain positioning. Air flow through the arcuate duct is directed against the CPU and RAM. The lower portion of the blower is left open to blow air directly ahead past the IC cards against the HDD and auxiliary disk drives in front.