Abstract: Improved light emitting optics systems are provided for obtaining desired illumination patterns. Illumination assemblies and systems are provided that incorporate improved light emitting optics systems.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention includes a ripsaw stabilizing device that has a moveable carrier arm subassembly, a hold-down subassembly, a hold-down support engaged to the moveable carrier arm subassembly and a force applying subassembly engaged to the hold-down subassembly and the hold-down support that applies downward force such that downward force is applied to a piece of material being cut on both sides of the blade. Another aspect of the present invention includes a method for making a glue-line quality cut without further processing of the material being cut and without the use of a sacrificial material. Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a ripsaw including one or more ripsaw stabilizing devices of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for producing a vegetable oil-derived polyol having increased hydroxyl functionality by reacting a vegetable oil with an oxidizing agent in the presence of an organometallic catalyst is provided. The resulting higher functionality polyols derived from vegetable oil produced by the process are also provided. Also provided is a method for decreasing the acid value of a vegetable oil-derived polyol by reacting the vegetable oil-derived polyol with an epoxide component in the presence of a Lewis base catalyst. Urethane products produced using higher functional vegetable oil-derived polyols and/or lower acid vegetable oil-derived polyols are also provided.

Abstract: An amputee mobility device includes a wheeled frame, and seat with webbed pocket for receiving an amputated leg. The seat is adjustable height adjustable, as is the pocket for customizing to individuals. Adjustable handles allow amputees to move themselves, or allow a helper to push like a wheelchair. In one form, the frame includes front and rear articulated subframes. In another form, the wheeled frame forms an elongated rigid frame, with two fixed-axle wheels and two rear-located steerable wheels and one front-located steerable wheel. In another form, the frame includes two fixed-axle wheels and two steerable wheels arranged to function somewhat like a wheeled walking cane. Optional features include outriggers for leg protection, a foldable frame for compact storage and shipment, bicycle-like lockable hand brakes, a seat without aperture for supporting a lower leg extending horizontally, storage shelves, and cup holders.

Abstract: A vehicle rear door unsequenced articulating mechanism including one or more articulating hinge assemblies having one or more hinge arms pivotally mounted to a vehicle C-pillar at one end thereof via a C-pillar hinge mount and pivotally mounted to a vehicle rear door at another end thereof via a door hinge mount. The hinge arm may include a generally J-shaped profile between the ends thereof for permitting unsequenced articulation of the rear door up to approximately 180° from a rear door closed position. The door hinge mount may include a door stop engageable with a stop surface on the hinge arm for limiting pivotal movement of the vehicle rear door.

Abstract: A control system and method for exercise equipment and the like provides a way to simulate a physical activity in a manner that takes into account the physics of the physical activity being simulated to provide an accurate simulation. According to one aspect of the present invention, the control system and method takes into account the physics of the corresponding physical activity to generate a virtual or predicted value of a variable such as velocity, acceleration, force, or the like. The difference between the virtual or expected physical variable and a measured variable is used as a control input to control resistance forces of the exercise equipment in a way that causes the user to experience forces that are the same or similar to the forces that would be encountered if the user were actually performing the physical activity being simulated rather than using the exercise equipment.

Abstract: A process for uniformly distributing a pharmaceutically active particulate material in a pharmaceutically inert particulate material includes steps of providing a first layer of a pharmaceutically inert particulate material, disposing a layer of a pharmaceutically active particulate material on the first layer of pharmaceutically inert particulate material, passing the layers of particulate material through a static mixer, and discharging the blended mixture from the static mixer. The process is particularly useful for blending a low dose, high potency drug having a propensity to stick to process equipment surfaces with pharmaceutically inert particulate materials, such as diluents and/or excipients.

Abstract: A system (10) for extracting liquid from a mass comprising a portable platform (12) having an upper surface (14), a system mass input (16), a polymer feeding and blending system (18) on the upper surface (14), a liquid extraction assembly (40) on the upper surface (14), and piping (22) having a first section (24) between the system mass input (16) and the polymer feeding and blending system (18), and a second section (26) between the polymer feeding and blending system (18) and the liquid extraction assembly (40). The system is configured to have mass inputted into the system mass input (16), transport the mass to the polymer feeding and blending system (18) through the first section (24) of the piping, inject polymer into the mass in the polymer feeding and blending system (18), and transport the mass from the polymer feeding and blending system (18) to the liquid extraction assembly (40). Pressure from the mass forced into the liquid extraction assembly (18) forces liquid in the mass to exit the mass.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a mash circulating system with pump and fermentation tank, an atmosphere circulating system with blower for circulating atmosphere between the tank and an ethanol-removal station, and an integrated refrigerating heat-transfer system with first coils for condensing out ethanol from the atmosphere, and second coils for warming the mash. A support frame supports portions of the above components, making it a transportable modular unit to facilitate installation, minimize cost, and provide for efficient operation. The entire apparatus can be up-sized or down-sized for specific applications. In one form, the system includes electrically-driven pump, blower, and refrigeration compressors, with the external energy consumption kept surprisingly low. Methods related to the above are also disclosed.

Abstract: A transgenic animal model for evaluating growth, survival and/or metastasis of xenotransplanted normal or tumor cells or tissue is disclosed, in which a human growth factor, hHGF stimulates growth in vivo of human cells or tissue. A strain of Tg mice on the C3H background that is immunocompromised as a result of a homozygous scid gene has been bred which express a nucleic acid encoding hHGF/SE The ectopically expressed hHGF/SF ligand significantly enhances growth of human tumor cell lines and explanted tumor cells or tissue that express the Met receptor for hHGF. Such animals also have an enlarged normal livers and greater than normal liver regenerative capacity. Any Met-expressing hHGF-dependent human cells, including hepatocytes and various stem cells can survive and grow in such animals.

Abstract: A package unbundling station receives bundles of articles to be unwrapped. The station includes a clamp for holding a bundle in a fixed position and a pair of spaced-apart movable cutter assemblies which cut at least one of wrapping and banding on at least two sides of the bundle, resulting in an “open envelope” which is transferred to a work station for easy removal of the articles which are then conveyed for subsequent sorting. In one embodiment, an unbundling station is coupled with a package sorting system and receives banded and/or wrapped bundles of articles and includes at least a pair of spaced-apart movable cutter assemblies which cut at least one of the banding and/or wrapping materials of the bundle and subsequently outputs the opened bundle to an output station for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A food product including a potato substrate having less than about 6% moisture content that is at least partially coated with a coating composition having a food starch component is provided. The at least partially coated potato substrate contains at least about 20% less fat content (adjusted to an about 1% product moisture basis) after thermal processing as compared to a substantially similar thermal processed uncoated potato substrate.

Abstract: A truss assembly apparatus includes a plurality of movable fastener securing devices. A controller moves the fastener securing devices to position the fastener securing devices in a selected pattern to provide for assembly of a truss. The apparatus includes a powered conveyor arrangement that moves the trusses through the apparatus during the assembly process.

Abstract: A rear combination lamp y for a vehicle includes a rear combination lamp housing with an inboard cavity, an intermediate cavity, and an outboard cavity. First, second, and third light-emitting diodes extend into the inboard cavity, intermediate cavity, and outboard cavity, respectively. A turn signal member is operably connected to the first, second, and third light-emitting diodes and engagement of the turn signal activates the first, second, and third light-emitting diodes sequentially.

Abstract: A device to lubricate a penis or medical instrument before insertion into the human body or orifice is disclosed. The device can be made from a ring that is covered with one or more membranes and contains lubricating material within the interior volume defined by the ring and the membrane(s). Alternatively, the device can be made from a ring that surrounds foam that is saturated with lubricant. In either embodiment, the membrane(s) or foam contain a penetration zone defined by any number of intersecting slits. A method of using the same to lubricate a penis or a medical instrument, such as an endoscope.

Abstract: A system comprising a seat having upper and lower members, a restraint, and a connector assembly having first and second members connected with the restraint and the seat. The first member has a top and a bottom, with the top being connected to the restraint and being pivotally connected to the upper member at an upper pivot point. The second member has a top and a bottom, with the top being pivotally connected to the bottom of the first member at a middle pivot point, and the bottom being pivotally connected to the lower member at a lower pivot point. The upper and lower pivot points are fixed relative to the seat. The first member pivots about the upper pivot point and the second member pivots about the lower pivot point. Aft movement of the middle pivot point results in fore movement of the restraint.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for producing a unitized composite material has been discovered. An assembly of loose fibers or fiber and fabric combinations is formed where at least one of the layered elements contains a bondable material such as a thermally sensitive bonding fiber. The un-bonded layered assembly is shaped into a wavy form having a repeating wave-like pattern of the desired amplitude and wavelength. The amplitude and wavelength of the repeating waves can be altered such as by changing the relative speeds of a transfer device and an oven wire and the height of the transfer device relative to the height of the oven wire using simple machinery control settings. The shaped assembly is subsequently bonded in an oven or other activation step preserving the wave-like shaping when cooled or removed from the activation effect.

Abstract: A surgical scalpel includes an elongate handle defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal end and a distal end. The scalpel has a cartridge removably mounted to the handle that has a blade holder with a proximal end and a distal end. There is a blade fixedly attached to blade holder disposed so that the blade projects distally outwardly when the cartridge is mounted on the handle. The cartridge also has a shield with a proximal end, a distal end and a bottom mounted onto the blade holder. The shield is slidably movable between a distal position where the shield substantially prevents inadvertent access to the blade and a proximal position where the shield substantially surrounds a portion of the handle and the blade is exposed for use. The cartridge is releasably mountable to the handle and has elements for substantially preventing movement of the shield with respect to the blade holder unless the cartridge is mounted on the handle.