Abstract: A receiver for an animal training collar which includes a receiver housing with a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal each accessible from an outside of the receiver housing. A pair of electrodes is connected to the first electrode terminal and the second electrode. A circuit board is connected to the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal on the outside of the receiver housing and between the pair of electrodes and the receiver housing, wherein the pair of electrodes extend from the circuit board.

Abstract: A container formed from a paperboard laminate and including a rupturable opening for gaining access to the contents of the container, the opening being defined by an embossment pattern in a wall of the container. The embossment defines a weakened area which includes the layers of the laminate, but without destruction or deterioration of selected ones of the barrier/sealing layers of the laminate. A method is disclosed.

Abstract: An animal behavior modification system including a collar, a receiver device and a transponder. The receiver device is attached to the collar, the receiver device having a receiver circuit and a stimulation circuit. The transponder is in communication with the receiver device. The transponder is positioned proximate to the receiver device. The transponder includes a signal transmitter; and an antenna intermittently electrically connectable to the signal transmitter. The signal transmitter wirelessly communicating to the receiver circuit of the receiver device.

Abstract: A flexible locking dipstick module useful with a motor vehicle transmission including a transmission case. A transmission dipstick is disposed within a housing which has one end thereof affixed to the transmission case and extends therefrom to a location within the engine compartment of a motor vehicle. Each end of the module includes a quick disconnect locking coupling providing for ready installation of the dipstick housing and its associated dipstick. Each coupling further provides protection against blow out of the dipstick in the event of inordinate build up of pressure within the transmission. Further, one portion of the outboard coupling may be employed as a liquid-tight closure for a dipstick entry opening in the transmission case during removal and/or storage of the transmission case.

Abstract: A signal transmitter system for an animal training system including an electrical impedance loop, a signal generator and a power supply. The signal generator is connected to the electrical impedance loop. The signal generator provides a current signal to the electrical impedance loop. The power supply provides a voltage level to the signal generator. The voltage level is dependent upon a measured characteristic of a voltage signal that results from an interaction of the current signal with the electrical impedance loop.

Abstract: A battery module cooperating with an electronic animal control device for activating and deactivating the electronic animal control device. The battery module switch is a user-replaceable power source providing a rotary switching function while maintaining a hermetic seal.

Abstract: A flexible electrode assembly for use with an electronic animal training device. The flexible electrode assembly provides pressure relief in the event that the collar is over-tightened. Pressure relief is obtained through the use of resilient materials or mechanical pre-loads that allow movement in response to applied pressure. Because the position of the electrodes in the flexible electrode assembly is not fixed, pet owners are generally more likely to properly tighten the collar thereby allowing the animal training device to function effectively.

Abstract: An accessory is provided to include, in combination, a permanently coiled helical hose and a hose caddy therefore. Such helical hoses are formed from a plurality of equal convolutions forming the helix, with these convolutions defining a central volume. The hose caddy has a base member designed to normally rest on the ground or other supporting surface. A staff member extends substantially perpendicular to the base member, this staff being adapted to be loosley inserted into the volume formed by the convolutions. As a combination of hose and caddy, the accessory can be moved to any location where needed. In addition, the combination is easy to store without having additional apparatus.

Abstract: An adhesive system for securing optical elements to a housing or substrate in an aligned position that is maintained over widely varying environmental conditions. A fiber optic device is constructed such that applied adhesive is not disposed between a fiber optic element and the housing of the fiber optic device, but is disposed on longitudinal seams defined by the portion of the element proximal a side of the housing or substrate. In one embodiment, the adhesive has a filler, such as amorphous silica. A method of making includes aligning, applying adhesive, and curing adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration signal processing method and system that can be used to account for situations where impact or impulse events are hidden in a normal vibration reading by low frequency vibrations and high frequency noise. In one preferred form, the method of the present invention comprises the steps of obtaining electrical vibration signals that represent mechanical vibrations of a machine (102-106), converting the electrical vibration signals into digital vibration samples (108), dividing the digital vibration samples into equal time intervals and determining the average absolute amplitude of the digital vibration samples for each time interval (110), generating a time waveform comprising the determined average amplitudes (112, 114), and processing the time waveform as if it were an independently-detected signal (116-120).

Abstract: An ophthalmic phototherapy device (10) and associated phototherapy treatment method for promoting healing of damaged or diseased eye tissue. The ophthalmic phototherapy device (10) includes a light emitting mechanism (12) for transmitting light of at least one preselected wavelength to the eye tissue, whereby the light transmitted to the damaged or diseased eye tissue stimulates activity in the eye tissue to promote healing. The ophthalmic phototherapy method includes exposing the damaged or diseased eye tissue to light of at least one wavelength for a selected period of time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for precisely locating materials on a foundation includes an elongated survey rod, including a triggering surface, and fastener driver secured to the survey rod. The fastener driver includes a trigger. The triggering surface is located in a position to selectively activate the trigger when the fastener is located at a desired precise location on a foundation.

Abstract: A toy race track providing a mat for simulating a stock car racing track is disclosed. The toy race track includes a plurality of interlocking tiles having top and bottom surfaces. Each interlocking tile top surface includes top surface indicia depicting a portion of a stock car race track. Upon interlocking the tiles, the various top surface indicia cooperate to depict a complete stock car race track.

Abstract: An apparatus for an improved cyclotron for producing radioisotopes especially for use in association with medical imaging. The improved cyclotron is configured without a conventional electromagnetic coil. A plurality of dees and a plurality of permanent magnets are alternately disposed in a circular array, each defining a channel through which ions travel. The vacuum chamber wall defines an opening disposed at the center of the array, the opening being configured to receive an ion source. Positive ions flowing from the ion source are exposed to the magnetic field generated by permanent magnets. The positive ions are repelled as they exit a positively charged dee. Negatively charged dees pull the ions. Each time the particles pass through the gap approaching the dees and as they leave the dee and pass through the magnets, they gain energy, so the orbital radius continuously increases and the particles follow an outwardly spiraling path.

Abstract: An animal collar assembly including a wireless receiver and a collar. The wireless receiver having a pair of first attachment features. The collar having a pair of ends, each end having a second attachment feature, each second attachment feature coupled with a corresponding first attachment feature and maintaining the corresponding collar end at a fixed orientation relative to the wireless receiver.

Abstract: A stringed instrument and associated fret mapping method. The instrument includes a neck having a fret board provided with a plurality of frets having offset string contact regions along their length, whereby accurate intonation of a note is achieved when a string is brought into contact with one of the string contact regions and a note is played. The fret mapping method utilizes a test instrument having a fret board that is longitudinally movable toward and away from the nut of the test instrument. The method utilizes this movable fret board to determine the desired locations of string contact regions for frets on the fret board of a stringed instrument of the present invention.