Abstract: A wine rack having four wire panels of bottle holders and a wire base assembly, each being a separate component and packaged together in a small carton. The two lower panels are fitted into the base assembly, the two upper panels are fitted into the tops of respective lower panels, and the panels are all clipped together. The two lower panels are also cradled in a cross bar of the base assembly. All of the bottles, when held in storage positions in the rack, are sloped downwardly at an angle towards their cork ends. The bottles on one panel-column side face one direction and those on the other face the other direction. The entire unit with its snap-fit and clipped connections and its balanced bottle arrangement can be safely lifted at its top when fully loaded with bottles.

Abstract: Unique digital codes are encoded on a video signal, the codes are retrieved at receivers and precise information concerning the time of occurrence, length, nature and quality of a monitored broadcast at a frame by frame level, is generated. The codes are inserted on scan lines of the video, and vary either on a field-to-field or fame-to-frame basis. The code has a repeating first part having a unique program material identifier indicating the time, date and place of encoding, and has a second portion that varies in a predetermined non-repeating sequence which varies along the entire length of the tape, thereby uniquely identifying each frame of the video program material. Also encoded upon successive frames is a cyclic counter code with a count corresponding to the sequence of the identifier data on successive frames.

Abstract: An adjustable articulated bed having a back support section, a head rest section, an angled lifting lever, and a crank assembly operatively connecting the bed motor to the lifting lever. A slidable pin-and-slot arrangement connects the head end of the lever to the head rest section. As the lever is pivoted it first tilts the head rest section up relative to the (horizontal) back support section to a relative tilt position. Continued pivoting of the lever causes it to engage, lift and pivot the back support section up about the lifting-lever pivot axis. The head rest section, while maintaining the relative tilt position, is pivoted up with it. A polyfoam foundation affixed to the tops of both the back support and head rest sections tends to drag or lift the back support section up as the head rest section is pivoted up.

Abstract: A cell placement is generated for a microelectronic circuit chip. Interconnect points for cell nets are calculated, for example, as gravity points of the cells of the respective nets. Optimal positions for external connection terminals or pads along the border of the circuit are calculated as being the closest positions to the respective interconnect points. The total wirelength of the placement is calculated as including the distances between the interconnect points and the respective pads. Where initial location of the pads results in overlap thereof, clusters of pads are identified and expanded to remove the overlap. Concatenated overlapping clusters resulting from expansion are treated as new clusters and subsequently expanded until all overlap is eliminated. The centers of gravity of the clusters are preserved. During the overlap removal process, initial rectangular coordinates of the pad positions are converted into linear coordinates along the border.

Abstract: A modular display stand for holding a plurality of lighting products is disclosed. The modular display stand is constructed from a plurality of modular units, each modular unit having two panels joined at a common edge to form a V-shape. The panel includes apertures for mounting the lighting products and a power strip for supplying electricity to the lighting products. The modular units are arranged so that one panel of a modular unit overlaps the panel of a second modular unit, wherein the overlapping panels are joined by a fastener. This arrangement is repeated so that the joined, complementary panels extend radially. Each modular unit can optionally be connected end-to-end or mounted against a wall, floor, or ceiling.

Abstract: Methods of planarizing one or more layers having an irregular top surface topology in a semiconductor device based on an underlying MOS structure are disclosed. Methods of creating doped wells or regions for the underlying MOS structure are also disclosed, using thick oxide growths on the surface of the substrate to mask implantation of ions into the wells. A technique for creating a pair of adjacent complementary oppositely-doped wells, such as for a CMOS structure, using a thick oxide growths as a mask is also disclosed. One of the methods of planarizing the one or more layers involves depositing, densifying and re-flowing a layer of glass on top of the topological layer. Another method of planarizing the one or more layers involves depositing, densifying and chemical-mechanically polishing the deposited and densified glass, thereby avoiding an additional temperature cycle (i.e., for re-flowing the glass) which would adversely affect underlying diffusions.

Abstract: A paperboard sheet has a longitudinal scoreline defining a narrow flap portion on one side thereof and a body portion on the other side. The sheet is packaged flat together with a set of tabbed dividers thereby protecting the dividers. With the sheet and dividers removed from the packaging, the flap portion is folded up ninety degrees on the scoreline to define a guide tray. The guide tray is inserted into a printer feed tray and the set of tabbed dividers is placed on the body portion with the tabs thereof abutting the upturned flap portion, and the feed tray guides adjusted. The flap guides the dividers as they are fed into the printer, preventing skewing thereof. Guide tray instructions are conveniently printed on the paperboard sheet. The guide tray can be used for guiding sheets, other than tabbed dividers, which have irregular longitudinal edges.

Abstract: Signal area efficiency in integrated circuit designs is improved by increasing the information efficiency of signal wiring on an integrated circuit. Candidate signals are selected for combination by prioritizing signals according to length of travel, travel path, and information content. Signals with low information content and with greater distance between endpoints make poor utilization of fixed wiring and provide the best candidates for improvement. Candidate signals which travel similar (substantially parallel) paths from point to point across the integrated circuit are combined to improve chip area utilization efficiency. A variety of techniques are described for combining low-information-content signals onto a small number of wires, transmitting them over the small number of wires, and re-expanding them at their destination. Assuming that the combining/expanding circuitry occupies less space than the point-to-point wiring which would otherwise be required, there is a net reduction in chip area.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling dispensation of fluids utilizing at least one metered valve apparatus controlling a movement of fluid from at least one bulk fluid reservoir through at least one conduit in response to an authorization signal. A central controller establishes an electronic interconnection map corresponding to plumbing interconnections between at least one bulk fluid reservoir and at least one fluid conduit and employs the electronic interconnection map to generate the authorization signal. A remote communication link from the central processor to at least one metered valve apparatus facilitates transmission of the authorization signal.

Abstract: A gear 11 on a crankshaft 10 is made to engage with an internal gear 21 having twice the number of teeth of the gear 11, cams 22 are formed on the exterior surface of the internal gear 21, and the cams 22 are connected with valve actuating mechanisms 40 for actuating an exhaust valve 44 and an intake valve 40 to open or close. The gear 11, the internal gear 21, etc. have the function of an oil pump.

Abstract: In an articulated bed having a motor for raising and lowering the bed, a control circuit operated by the user has first user memory for storing a first user variable indicating a user-selected first preferred bed position and a recall button by which the user can command that a handler routine in the control circuit return the bed to the first preferred bed position indicated by the first user variable. Further, the control circuit can have a tracking memory for frequently storing a tracking variable indicating the current position of the bed and a "store" or "program" button or control by which the user can command that the first user variable be set to equal the current tracking variable. Thus, any time the bed is a position preferred by the user, the user can push the store button to store a user variable indicating the preferred bed position in the controller's memory; then afterwards the user can have the bed return to that preferred position by pressing the recall button.

Abstract: A reusable presentation frame for overhead transparencies that has a view window through which a transparency may be revealed. The presentation frame has a "track" through which an opaque sliding concealment (slider) means may slide and thus conceal a variable portion of the transparency. The presentation frame may be constructed by bonding together multiple levels each having a plurality of borders which define the view window. Starting at the bottom level, the levels may include at least one raiser level, a transparency entrance level through which an overhead transparency may be inserted, a first ledge level, a first track level, and a top frame. The opaque slider may be inserted through the first track level at a side without a border and movably positioned within the presentation frame. Alternate embodiments of the presentation frame may include additional sliders and additional tracks.

Abstract: The operating status of a plurality of laundry appliances including washing machines and/or driers is sensed, and a controller generates and transmits corresponding status signals to remote transceivers which include visual or audio indicators for indicating the information. Each transceiver can interrogate the controller to determine the status of the appliances, with the status being transmitted only to the interrogating transmitter. Each transceiver can also transmit a reservation signal to the controller to reserve a selected appliance for a predetermined period of time. The controller also transmits status signals for the selected appliance only to the transceiver of the user who reserved the appliance when the operating cycle is finished, or at a predetermined period of time prior to the end of the operating cycle. The transceivers can communicate with the controller over a telephone line, or over A.C. power lines.

Abstract: An adjustable articulated bed manufactured in seven or so components for packing in three or so separate smaller boxes for easy transport. These components can be snap-fit together for easy assembly (and disassembly). The bed includes a bed frame, a power module or carriage and a bedding foundation. The foundation in turn includes a head portion and a body portion both of which are snap-fit securable in position to the power carriage. Pins releasably hold the roller assemblies of the power carriage to side rails of the frame for rolling moving of the carriage on the frame. A motor of the power carriage controllably moves the foundation head portion with respect to the frame and body portion. A drag link pivotally connects the head portion to the head rail of the frame. The drag link can be releasably connected at either end thereof or in the middle, snapping the two parts of the drag link together.

Abstract: A hygienic frictional toothbrush mounting system includes a mounting member or holder and at least one toothbrush. The mounting member is formed of translucent plastic and includes at least one recess for receiving the toothbrush. The recess is shaped to position the toothbrush laterally and vertically within the recess. The recess shape is customized to correspond to the shape of a particular brand or type of toothbrush to be held. The translucent configuration of the mounting member permits easy visual inspection of the system to ensure hygienic cleanliness of the system. A toothbrush includes a handle region having a predetermined surface contour, and a mounting member includes a recess having a recessed surface contour for engaging the predetermined surface contour of the toothbrush handle region. The toothbrush is secured in the mounting member by friction between portions of the engaged surface contours. The mounting member is affixed to a vertical surface such as a wall or mirror.

Abstract: An improved pavement treatment apparatus and method are disclosed, for example for concrete and asphalt saws, which may include a vacuum apparatus for removing water and slag. The apparatus also may include an improved blade guard and a pump system for removing the collected water and slag solution.