Abstract: The Invention is a brassiere to be worn after breast surgery. The fabric of the brassiere includes antimicrobial fibers that control microbes on the skin of the woman's breast area both before and after surgical incisions are healed. The antimicrobial fiber is a synthetic fiber incorporating a silver sodium hydrogen zirconium phosphate ion exchange resin. The antimicrobial fiber contains silver ions in antimicrobial amounts.

Abstract: A hygienic utensil having improved cleansing members for effectively cleaning and massaging the scalp is provided. The utensil for cleansing and massaging skin includes, a body and a plurality of branched bristle bundles. The plurality of branched bristle bundles extend outward from the body. The branched bristle bundles are grouped together to form cleansing members and attached to pedestals extending from the body. The cleansing members have a centermost portion in which the bristle lengths are shorter relative to the outermost bristle lengths.

Abstract: The invention is a kaleidoscope that folds to a substantially flat condition. The kaleidoscope has at least two mirrored surfaces joined one to another, each pair of mirrored surfaces defining a mirrored interior angle of less than 180 degrees. The kaleidoscope may be open on the third side. The kaleidoscope may be attached to folding body members such that when the body members are folded the mirrored surfaces of the kaleidoscope are folded as well. The kaleidoscope may be provided with a wheel, an eyepiece and an eyepiece lens.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for displaying indicia, such as a logo or trademark, on a shoe. A window is provided in the shoe, for example the heel of the shoe. Indicia appear on a removable member such as an insole and are displayed through the window.

Abstract: A primary, normally open, DC monitoring circuit with a circuit continuity test device is disclosed which will also test one or more additional sensors connected to the circuit. The sensing of lack of continuity or of a fault condition detected by an additional sensor governs the status of a single indicator, generally a warning light.

Abstract: A thermal cycling device consisting of a plate containing a plurality of wells to hold liquid and a lid that covers the plate and contains a number of “pins” that insert into the wells of the plate to control the temperature of the sample in the well. Biological, chemical or other samples are placed into the wells of the plate and the lid is placed on the plate with the pins inserted into or in the proximity of the sample. The lid, the outer surface of which may be copper clad and in direct contract with the pins, is heated or cooled, rapidly and uniformly heating or cooling the biological samples. The temperature of the sample can be rapidly and uniformly cycled and is particularly useful for the amplification of DNA via the polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract: A self timing test circuit switch powered by the same conductor as used to carry data may be used in vehicles where it is desirable to test and confirm the continuity of a critical circuit by illuminating for a brief period of time an indicator lamp after power-up of the vehicle. The switch may be used in sensor circuits where the sensor is a normally open switch and the normally open configuration can not otherwise be distinguished from an open circuit due to a wiring fault or a burned out bulb. Typical applications include checking the continuity of leads leading to metallic chip sensors in the engine and drive train oil or hydraulic fluid of aircraft engines.

Abstract: The present invention is a game, as a board game or computer game, relating to visualization and completion of geometric shapes. Repeating geometric shapes appear on a game board. The geometric shapes share perimeter boundaries with other geometric shapes on the game board. Game pieces are provided that correspond to a portion of the perimeter of one or more geometric forms. Players place game pieces on the game board, completing the geometric shapes.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for pressure treating wood and includes wood which has been pressure treated by the process. The process comprises infusion into the wood of a solution in water of an anhydride or the analogous acid of an anhydride, followed by removal of moisture from the wood and the infusion of the wood with a molten waxy solid comprising hydrocarbon paraffins or saturated fatty acids. The molten waxy solid then solidifies, filling all voids in the wood.

Abstract: An apparatus that can adapt a toilet tissue holder into a paper towel holder. The apparatus can be sold in kit forms so that a person can convert a standard toilet tissue holder into a holder for paper towels thus insuring that the style and design of the fixtures match.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for selecting either potable water or seawater as flush water for marine sanitary toilets. The apparatus may be designed to be electrically or manually operated. Check valves and vaccum breaker prevent contamination or waste of the potable water supply.

Abstract: Scale buildup on the heating element of an electric water heater or industrial process boiler is minimized by directing one or more jets of incoming water or other fluid onto the heating element. Optionally the fluid is pretreated by the induced electric field of an electronic descaling unit. The pretreated water produces soft scale that can easily be removed by a jet of fluid. Preferably a series of fluid jets, from a perforated pipe, are directed at the electric heating element. Also provided is a deflection panel to redirect the jets of water back toward the heating element, thus improving the scrubbing action for removing accumulating scale.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting an electric field to water travelling within a pipe. The apparatus includes a plurality of rectangularly-shaped coils of electric wire connected in an electrically parallel arrangement. Each coil is sandwiched between flexible cover sheets. The resulting assembly is applied to the outer circumference of the pipe, with the lengthwise dimension of the coil extending perpendicularly to the flow inside the pipe. A time-varying electric current is applied to the coil to produce a corresponding electric field. This, in turn, produces controlled precipitation of mineral ions from the water.

Abstract: An electrical power distribution panel such as is typically used in automobiles provides for the connection of an accessory circuit to one of two power busses within the panel. One power buss may be energized at all times by direct connection to the battery, while the other power buss may be energized when an ignition switch is in either the “on” or “accessory” position. Selection of the buss which is connected to an accessory circuit is made by placement of the fuse for that accessory circuit so as to connect one or the other busses.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting energy and point of incidence of an ionizing event comprising a semiconductor layer with a first type of conductivity, in which at least one first doped region with the first type of conductivity and a corresponding plurality of second doped regions with a second type of conductivity associated to said at least one first doped region are formed on a first surface of said layer, said at least first doped region and said corresponding plurality of second doped regions defining a respective drift path for charge carriers with the first type of conductivity, and at least one third doped region with the second type of conductivity is formed on a second surface of said layer, and means for biasing said second doped regions and said third doped region which is capable of reversely biasing the junctions between the second doped regions and the semiconductor layer and between the third doped region and the semiconductor layer so as to deplete the semiconductor layer.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for pressure treating wood and includes wood which has been pressure treated by the process. The process comprises infusion into the wood of a solution in water of an anhydride or the analogous acid of an anhydride, followed by removal of moisture from the wood and the infusion of the wood with a molten waxy solid comprising hydrocarbon paraffins or saturated fatty acids. The molten waxy solid then solidifies, filling all voids in the wood.

Abstract: A diffractor for electromagnetic radiation with a spherical stepped geometry constructed under the constant step width conditions (here defined as pseudo-spherical geometry). The diffractor consists of a plurality of spherically curved dispersive elements (oriented monocrystals, crystal surfaces or gratings) that are located on a focal circle. The location on the focal circle of each element is made to guarantee the same Bragg angle for the incident radiation. Thus a diffractor is an array of diffracting elements (“steps”) each one contributing to the total solid angle of the diffractor, that increase the spectral output of the device without decreasing the resolution. Because the steps are spherically curved, they are curved also in the direction perpendicular to the focal circle in order to satisfy Bragg's law for diffraction over a maximum area of the diffractor.

Abstract: An operative laparoscopic instrument is equipped with proximal and distal loops closed by slip knots and tightenable from the proximal end of the instrument. A forceps extending from the distal end of the instrument grasps an anatomical tube to be both ligated and transected and pulls it into the instrument past both loops. The distal loop is first tightened to ligate the tube and the proximal loop is then tightened to transect the tube.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and method of using the apparatus for teaching horseback riding skills without the use of a horse. The apparatus is secured to the student so that the student may move about. The student uses reins to manipulate a bit. A pendulum suspended from a spring simulates the motion of a horse's mouth. A feedback mechanism compares the tension exerted by the student on the reins to the simulated motion of the horse's mouth, assisting the student in learning how to follow the bit and other riding skills.