Abstract: A threaded fastener, such as a screw or a bolt, has a central longitudinal axis in a z-axis direction. The fastener has a head and a threaded shaft. The head has an overhanging periphery in an x-y plane and at least two slots, evenly-spaced apart, that extend completely through the overhanging periphery. Each slot has a sloped surface that undercuts the overhanging periphery in the same tangential direction. The screw is turned by using a bit that has a central longitudinal axis in a z-axis direction. The bit has a shank fixed to an end portion and at least two legs, evenly-spaced apart, extend from the end portion in a z-axis direction. Each leg has a sloped surface that extends in the same tangential direction.

Abstract: An antimicrobial composition is formed from about 5 to about 25 wt % of an antimicrobial formulation and about 75 to about 95 wt % of a silicone resin. The antimicrobial formulation is formed from about 60 to about 95 wt % of an antimicrobial material, about 1 to about 30 wt % calcium chelator, about 0.001 to about 0.25 wt % pigment, and about 0.5 to about 3.5 wt % lubricant. The silicone resin may be a dispersion of about 40 to about 60 w/v % of an RTV silicone resin in a solvent, a liquid silicone resin, or a solid silicone resin. An antimicrobial coating may be formed on the surface of an article by applying an antimicrobial composition to the article and permitting the solvent to evaporate. It may also be formed by making a mixture of about 5 to about 12 wt % of an antimicrobial formulation and about 88 to about 95 wt % of a liquid or solid silicone resin and molding, overmolding, or extruding the article from the compounded mixture.

Abstract: An organizer has a circular wheel having sides that slope inward towards the bottom of the wheel. The said sides are joined to a central cylinder by at least two double-sided partitions joined at the top and open at the bottom, thereby forming at least two compartments within said circular wheel between the partitions, the sides, and the central cylinder. Each double-sided partition forms a channel under it that is open on the bottom and joins the center of the central cylinder to the outside of the wheel. The organizer also has a hub that formed of a band joined to a circular disc by a support that extends less than half way around the circumference of the disc. The band can be removably attached to the central cylinder.

Abstract: An extract is made by cooking the fruit of an eggplant for about 15 to 30 minutes at about 120 to about 250° C., extracting the juice from the cooked fruit, and adding an oxidant to the juice that reacts with a component in it and changes its color from beige to black. Eggplants such as the Chinese eggplant and oxidants such as ferrous salts, such as ferrous sulfate, work particularly well. The extract can be formulated into various types of products, including pills, tablets, capsules, suppositories, foams, lotions, creams, and enema liquids. The products may be used for treating a variety of medical conditions, including gastrointestinal inflammation, hemorrhoids, skin inflammation, and other problems.

Abstract: An actuator for releasing a pressurized fire extinguishing composition from the cylinder of a fire extinguisher has an elongated body made of a single piece. The body has a longitudinal chamber that extends through it for holding a ram that moves along the chamber and a spring for propelling the ram, a first transverse aperture for holding a trigger that releases the spring and a second transverse aperture for holding a member that moves due to movement of the ram, where both apertures join the chamber. Movement of the member releases the composition from cylinder. A microswitch or a cable, activated by the ram, may be attached to either or both ends of the chamber.

Abstract: A safety panel is attachable to the grip of a handgun that stores rounds in the grip and that has at least one opening in the frame of the grip through which hot gases and shrapnel may pass in a blowout. The safety panel is a plate that completely covers the openings and that has no apertures through it in a portion that is over an opening. The plate may have screw holes through it for attaching it to the frame. It also may have indentations in its periphery for an ambidextrous thumb safety, a mainspring housing pin, and a magazine release clearance. The safety panel is attached to the grip of the gun by removing the grip cover, inserting the safety panel in between the frame and the grip cover, and re-fastening the grip cover to the frame.

Abstract: Water containing dissolved salts, such as calcium sulfate, calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, calcium bicarbonate, and mixtures thereof, is treated to reduce the concentration of those salts. About 0.1 to about 60 g/L of sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum sulfate, aluminum potassium sulfate, and mixtures thereof is added to the water, whereby a precipitate forms in the water. The precipitate is separated from said water and the water is desalinated using reverse osmosis, flash evaporation, or another method. The process is preferably performed by first adding calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide, separating the precipitate that forms, then adding sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate to form a second precipitate.

Abstract: A lighting fixture has a night light that is always on, a safety light that provides more light than the night light, and a sensor that detects the presence of a person within the area illuminated by the safety light. The sensor turns on the safety light when a person is detected within said area and turns off the safety light after the person is no longer detected within the area. In that way, ample light is provided for safety and security purposes while dramatically reducing the amount of energy used.

Abstract: A system can be used with an existing meter that has a removable cover and a base and measures the usage of a utility commodity, such as electricity. The system replaces the removable cover with a replacement cover that fits onto the base in the same manner as the removable cover. The system has a usage reader inside the replacement cover that obtains information on the amount of the utility commodity that is used. No electrical or mechanical connection between the usage reader and the meter is made to obtain that information. An automatic meter reader, which includes a microprocessor for storing information and calculating charges and a transmitter for transmitting information to a remote receiver and a way to transfer information from the usage reader to the automatic meter reader is also part of the system.

Abstract: An accessory is connected between a leg bag and a urinary catheter to prevent microorganisms migrating from the leg bag up through the catheter. The accessory has a sleeve, connectors to connect the sleeve to the leg bag and to the urinary catheter, a filter positioned within the sleeve that can be coated with an antimicrobial composition, and a valve to prevent fluid from moving from the leg bag to the catheter. The antimicrobial coated sleeve can be used with or with out the filter. The filter is made by compounding a polymeric resin powder with an antimicrobial composition.

Abstract: A container for holding a liquid has a vessel that is open at the top and has an externally threaded neck through which liquid may be poured. A cap that has an internally threaded neck through which liquid may be poured screws onto the vessel. The cap can be inverted and a measured amount of liquid can be poured from the vessel into the cap. The cap can be transparent or translucent and can marked to indicate the amount of liquid it holds. An annular lip on the inside of the cap above its internal threads is sloped on top and flat on the bottom. Any liquid remaining in the cap flows down the sides of the cap, over the annular lip, and drips into the vessel, thereby preventing the liquid from flowing in between the threads and down the sides of the vessel. The top of the vessel may be sealed with a heat seal. When the heat seal has been removed it can be replaced on top of the vessel and the flat bottom of the annular lip will press against it to prevent liquid from leaving the vessel.

Abstract: A lottery card reader has a clip made from two separate pieces that are assembled together and a transparent flap attached to the clip. The clip has a first and a second pair of arms attached to a pivot. The arms in the first pair are separated and the arms in the second pair are resiliently biased towards each other. Moving the first pair of arms together moves the second pair of arms apart. The transparent flap can cover games on a lottery card to which the clip is attached. When a lottery card is inserted between the second pair of arms under the transparent flap it is releaseably gripped by the second pair of arms.

Abstract: A system for continuously providing information on the internet of the usage of a utility commodity at a meter includes an internet site at which the usage of the utility commodity at the meter can be viewed and at which a utility company can post pricing information for the use of the utility commodity at the meter. An automatic meter reader provides continuous information on the quantity of the utility commodity that is being used at the meter and information is transmitted between the automatic meter reader and the internet site. The utility company sends pricing information to the automatic meter reader and, using the pricing information, the automatic meter reader continuously calculates charges for utility usage and sends those charges to the internet site, where they are posted. The automatic meter reader can generate, present, and display real time energy use data and energy billing and can allow the customer the option of paying the bill online or at the automatic meter reader.

Abstract: A devise for watering vegetation has a cylindrical tube that can be laid flat and rolled up. The tube has a watertight seal about 2 to about 6 inches from each end, which leaves a flap at each end. The flaps can be attached to stakes that can be driven into the ground. There are one or two openings along the length of the tube through which water can be admitted into the tube. At or near the bottom of the tube is at least one drip emitter from which water can leave the tube. Two or more tubes can be joined together using a single stake though the flaps of the tubes. The tubes can be arranged in a line, a circle, or other arrangements.

Abstract: The oxidation of a polymer is inhibited by adding to the polymer about 0.005 to about 10 phr of an antioxidant having (in non-polymeric form) the general formula The polymer can be poly(vinylchloride), a polycarbonate, a polyether, polyethylene, polypropylene, or a mixture thereof when the antioxidant is not phthalide and can be poly (vinylchloride), a polycarbonate, a polyether, or a mixture thereof when the antioxidant is phthalide.

Abstract: Pathogens, toxins, and some chemical warfare agents inside an enclosure are destroyed using hydroxyl free radicals. The hydroxyl free radicals can be generated by, for example, reacting ozone with water in the presence of ultraviolet light or reacting hydrogen with nitrogen dioxide in the presence of ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A paint touchup jar has a cylindrical container with a base, vertical sides, and a threaded rim. A threaded lid that can be screwed onto the threaded rim. A cylindrical sponge attached to the inside of said threaded lid. A double lid can also be used with the container. The double lid has two lids attached back-to-back, with a cylindrical sponge attached to the inside of only one of the lids.

Abstract: A polymer of polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyimide, polyester, or polyvinyl acetate contains about 0.005 to about 10 phr of a stabilizer to prevent discoloration due to oxidation, particularly gamma radiation.

Abstract: In a system where an automatic meter reader device communicates with a host at a remote location using a communication line that is shared with at least one other user, conflicts between the use of the communication line by the automatic meter reader and/or by the host are minimized. When the line is used by other users, information about the times they use the line is collected. That information is analyzed to identify time periods when the communication line is less likely to be used by the other users. The automatic meter reader and the host are then directed to communicate with each other during those time periods.

Abstract: A hat is made from a can carton that has a pattern marked on it. The pattern is cut out and the hat is assembled from the pieces. An 18 or 24 can carton can be used to make the brim of the hat and 12 and 18 can cartons can be used to make the crown. Hats of various shapes and styles can be made from the cartons.