Abstract: A pair of flags bearing a sports team's colors and/or logo are carried by a pair of upstanding standards that are removably secured to the opposing sides of the visor of a baseball-type cap. The standards are bendable to permit them to assume a desired (e.g. vertical) orientation once attached to the visor. The standards may also be rotatable about their longitudinal axes so that the flags may be oriented as desired by the wearer.

Abstract: Bulk, low impurity aluminum nitride (AlN) single crystals are grown by sublimation or similar deposition techniques at growth rates greater than 0.5 mm/hr.

Abstract: An environmentally enclosed splice is provided for two joined jacketed cables that carry distribution class voltage. The enclosed splice includes a molded elongate housing that has two mirror image clam-type housing halves that are closed over the cable splice around a living hinge. The splice is protected from the environment by a continuous, uninterrupted mastic seal that fully envelops the splice and seals to the jacketed cables extending from each end of the splice.

Abstract: A device for line card lightning and power fault protection includes a heat generating fusible resistive element connected to two electrical terminals using a controlled-melting temperature solder. The resistive element has enough thermal mass to withstand low level overcurrent conditions. The electrical terminal configuration and material are designed to thermally isolate the resistor. A spring tensioning device is included to aid in circuit disconnect when sufficient overcurrent exists to melt the resistor-to-terminal solder. The entire assembly is housed in a high temperature insulating plastic enclosure which permits installation using surface mount technology.

Abstract: Diamond gemstones and gemstones formed of crystals of silicon carbide are distinguished from each other by introducing a band of ultraviolet light into a target gemstone and measuring the transmissivity of that band of light by the gemstone. A diamond will transmit light within a certain band of the ultraviolet spectrum, while a silicon carbide gemstone will block light within this band. Several instruments for carrying out this procedure are described, including an instrument that utilizes a fiberoptic strand to convey ultraviolet light that has passed through the gemstone to a solid state photodetector.

Abstract: Personal oral hygiene of the general population is improved by making flossing considerably easier and less time consuming than it is when performed pursuant to current recommendations of the dental profession. This invention is an improved method for cleaning the interproximal tooth surfaces, comprising alternating the flossing of the lower teeth and the upper teeth in separate flossing sessions. A preferred embodiment is to floss the lower teeth on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and the upper teeth on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays (or Sundays). This invention can maintain gingival health with less than half the time and effort of currently recommended methods. An alternative embodiment is to floss the lower and upper teeth on alternate days, irrespective of the day of the week. The invention may be carried out with any type of dental floss, and with any mechanical or electrical flossing aid, as well as other kinds of interdental cleaners.

Abstract: A vaginal device provides physical and chemical barriers to contraception or protection against sexually transmitted diseases, or both. The device includes a towelette having approximately 5 ml of preventive formulation incorporated therein by absorption. During intercourse, the towelette rests in the upper vagina and effectively functions as both a physical and chemical barrier to contraception. In some embodiments, the towelette may become compressed into a crumpled, disc-like shape, which may enhance its properties as a physical barrier. Means to facilitate insertion and removal of the device are described.

Abstract: Synthetic gemstones having extraordinary brilliance and hardness are formed from large single crystals of relatively low impurity, translucent silicon carbide of a single polytype that are grown in a furnace sublimation system. The crystals are cut into rough gemstones that are thereafter fashioned into finished gemstones. A wide range of colors and shades is available by selective doping of the crystal during growth. A colorless gemstone is produced by growing the crystal undoped in a system substantially free of unwanted impurity atoms.

Abstract: The risk of personal injury to personnel working inside energized pad-mounted transformers is reduced by providing a universally sized safety shield device that fits in place during repair operations to prevent a workman's tool from contacting the transformer face. The shield device takes the form of a rigid sheet of dielectric material having sufficient insulative value to prevent arcing inside the transformer. The shield has three slots opening to an edge of the shield with the three slots being so sized and shaped to permit them to slide over the secondary bushings to locate and hold the safety shield in place during repair operations. The shield is used in association with a pair of novel insulative bushing covers.

Abstract: Synthetic gemstones having extraordinary brilliance and hardness are formed from large single crystals of relatively low impurity, translucent silicon carbide of a single polytype that are grown in a furnace sublimation system. The crystals are cut into rough gemstones that are thereafter fashioned into finished gemstones. A wide range of colors and shades is available by selective doping of the crystal during growth. A colorless gemstone is produced by growing the crystal undoped in a system substantially free of unwanted impurity atoms.

Abstract: A prophylactic device is described which is constructed primarily from portions of plastic film material alternatingly sealed at their periphery and at an aperture contained in the film to yield an accordion-like section. The prophylactic device, as manufactured, is relatively flat, but it can expand to cover a body part to provide protection from transmission of bodily fluids between individuals. The prophylactic device can be used as a glove-like device, a finger cot, a condom, or a wound covering, depending on the size and configuration of the device.

Abstract: A thin, plastic lid for disposable drinking cups has a drinking opening formed in a raised portion of the lid. The drinking opening is covered by a hinged closure member that is locked in place by trapping an outer marginal edge of the closure member between the cup rim and the periphery of the lid. The lid may be formed by conventional vacuum forming and die cutting operations.

Abstract: An automated data taking and analysis system is used during maintenance overhaul of steam or gas turbines to determine the required position of internal flowpath parts so that the parts may be properly reassembled with appropriate spacing to prevent internal rubbing and resultant wear or damage to the turbine that may affect unit operation or performance. Data is taken by electronic position transducers mounted on a rotatable tube, with the transducers being installed at selected axial locations along the tube where setpoint hard bores and seals reside on flowpath components. The transducers include radially projecting surface-riding portions for contacting the cylindrical flowpath component hard bore or seal. For use with large utility or industrial turbines, the transducers have a linear range greater than 0.80 inch to accommodate relatively large amounts of component ellipticity, tube sag, component misalignment and/or variation.

Abstract: A prophylactic device is described which is constructed primarily from portions of plastic film material alternatingly sealed at their periphery and at an aperture contained in the film to yield an accordion-like section. The prophylactic device, as manufactured, is relatively flat, but it can expand to cover a body part to provide protection from transmission of bodily fluids between individuals. The prophylactic device can be used as a glove-like device, a finger cot, a condom, or a wound covering, depending on the size and configuration of the device.

Abstract: A flooded thermal energy storage tank holds an agglomerated ice mass that is fully submerged in water by a counterbuoyant top. The thermal energy stored in the tank is used to satisfy a cyclical thermal cooling load that is uncoupled from the power supply that produces the ice for the tank. A water supply loop for supplying cold water to the thermal load assures that the relatively colder water in the tank is supplied by withdrawing the water from an upper location within the ice mass. The supply loop also assures that water returned from the load to the tank is recooled by the ice mass in a thermodynamically efficient manner. The essential symmetry of the ice mass is retained during repetitive ice mass melting and rebuilding in an operational cycle to assure continual stability of the ice mass and tank top.

Abstract: The operational capacity and efficiency of a combustion turbine is increased by treating the turbine inlet air to increase its density. The inlet air treatment is achieved in a columnar tower with the inlet air being drawn in at the top of the tower. Treatment water is injected into the tower at a downward velocity greater than that of the inlet air to establish a vertically descending, two-phase co-current flow of inlet air and treatment water. The system utilizes the natural phenomenon of drag-induced pressure boost to the air achieved by the difference in the relative velocities of the inlet air and the treatment water in the co-current flow. By utilizing a cold treatment water, for example at 32.degree.-40.degree. F., the tower creates a direct contact heat transfer situation that cools the inlet air, thereby further increasing its density.

Abstract: A debit card system replaces food stamps. A photo ID card issued to the food assistance recipient displays an arrangement of numerals that encode and reveal a unique PIN when overlaid by an appropriate mask. The clerk's use of the mask to determine the PIN puts the authorized recipient's photograph in full view of the clerk for at least several seconds, thereby compelling the clerk's unsupervised compliance regarding verification of the identity of the user of the card.

Abstract: A thin, plastic lid for disposable drinking cups has a drinking opening formed in a raised portion of the lid. The drinking opening is covered by a hinged closure member that is locked in place by trapping an outer marginal edge of the closure member between the cup rim and the periphery of the lid. The lid may be formed by conventional vacuum forming and die cutting operations.

Abstract: A dolly-like device and associated operational procedure facilitate the transporting and setting of utility poles at locations inaccessible to motor vehicles. The dolly-like device includes a power winch that is utilized to provide the power to raise the pole in the pole setting operation.

Abstract: A portfolio is formed from a blank of relatively rigid sheet material that includes front and rear covers hingedly connected for enclosing a multiple-page document. A document securement flap extends as an integrally formed member from the top edge of the rear cover. The document securement flap includes multiple panels defined by parallel fold lines. Folding of the panels about the fold lines creates a pocket for receiving and securing the upper marginal edge of the multiple-page document, and creates a structure that permits the document so secured to pivot about the fold line at which the document securement flap joins the rear cover.