Abstract: Thickeners for oil-containing compositions, particularly cosmetic and personal care compositions, are side chain crystalline polymers which are uniformly dispersed as a crystallized solid in the oil.

Abstract: An apparatus for combining delivery of objects from a first transport conveyor (34) and a second transport conveyor (40), comprising a first continuous discharge conveyor (36), a second continuous discharge conveyor (42) which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis; means for pivoting the second discharge conveyor about the longitudinal axis between a lower position in which the discharge ends of the first discharge conveyor and the second discharge conveyor are adjacent, and an upper position in which the discharge ends of the first discharge conveyor and the second discharge conveyor are spaced apart sufficiently to accommodate the objects therebetween; and means for synchronizing the pivoting means with discharge of the objects from the first discharge conveyor and the second discharge conveyor.

Abstract: A probe having a first and a second arm portion extending between first and second connecting portions connecting the first and second arm portions respectively at their front end portion and base end portion, and a needle point portion below the first connecting portion. At least one of the entire first and second arm portions or the upper or lower edge portions of the first and second arm portions are arcuate.

Abstract: A DNA virus in a sample is detected by contacting the sample with host cells that have been transiently transfected with a reporter sequence under the control of a virus-specific promoter, and then detecting the reporter.

Abstract: A touchpad stylus includes a housing, a stylus member axially moveable in the housing, and an energy-absorbing cushion member interposed between a rear extremity of the stylus member and an internal cavity of the housing, the cushion member lightly forwardly biasing the stylus member relative to the housing. The stylus member has a smoothly spherical tip extremity, and the device avoids impact damage to fragile outer membranes of existing touchpad devices because the full mass of the housing is isolated from impact with the touchpad, the stylus member itself having very significantly less mass than an aggregate mass of the complete assembly.

Abstract: A portable vapor containment structure has a support frame, at least three wheels to roll the support frame about the ground and wheel retractors for retracting each of the wheels so as to allow the frame to be lowered to the ground. Typically, the apparatus further includes an enclosed vapor containment compartment mounted upon the support frame attached to the support frame. The vapor containment compartment has a bottom opening located within the perimeter of the support frame.

Abstract: A non-Newtonian fluid is used in an electrokinetic device to produce electroosmotic flow therethrough. The nonlinear viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid allows the electrokinetic device to behave differently under different operating conditions, such as externally applied pressures and electric potentials. Electrokinetic devices can be used with a non-Newtonian fluid in a number of applications, including but not limited to electrokinetic pumps, flow controllers, diaphragm valves, and displacement systems.

Abstract: The invention satisfies this need. The invention is an internally threaded insert for use with a polymetric pipe fitting in a fire sprinkler system. The insert comprises an outer side surface, an outer rearward surface and an outer forward surface. The outer forward surface is adapted to retain a fire sprinkler at a forward end of the insert. The outer side surface of the insert is sized and dimensioned so as to closely match the bores of standard polymeric pipe fittings, so as to be capable of being slidably and snugly received into the bores of a standard polymeric pipe fitting. The insert can be conveniently affixed within the bores by non-mechanical means, such as by gluing.

Abstract: A method of inducing partial or complete immunity to an infectious disease in a mammal comprising providing to the mammal for oral consumption an effective amount of a protein complex comprising five monomeric fusion proteins.

Abstract: An applicator having a handle; a shank coupled to the handle; a first wall coupled to the shank; a second wall coupled to the first wall, the second wall being perpendicular to the first wall; a third wall coupled to the second wall, the third wall being parallel to the first wall; and an applying surface coupled to the first, second and third walls. The first wall, second wall and the third wall form a U-shaped channel dimensioned to fit around the bottom of a door having a thickness less than about 2 inches.

Abstract: A method for calibration process management of a calibration testing unit and a plurality of units under test, comprising configuring a user interface in communication with a calibration process management software system, configuring a communications link in communication with the software system, the software system capable of communicating with the calibration testing unit and the plurality of units under test, wherein the software system manages the user interface and the communications link in a manner permitting an operator to calibrate the plurality of units under test. Tracking of the calibrated units under test uses a permanent unique identifier and a dynamic unique identifier.

Abstract: Variable potential electrokinetic devices and electrokinetic multipliers used for pumping and flow control are disclosed that offer improvements in safety and design flexibility. The devices of the present invention take advantage of combinations of pumping conduits and conducting conduits to permit the use of lower operating voltages in pumps, pressure multipliers, and flow controllers. Devices having N pumping stages and 2N+1 electrodes permit the use of arbitrary voltages at the fluid connection points between the devices and other system components, further improving device safety and flexibility.

Abstract: A bed enclosure comprises a frame, a tent supported by the frame, and a mattress cover. Material covering two opposed upright end members of the frame and an upper support bar extending between the upright end members is connected to the tent by zipper connectors. A lower edge of the tent is likewise connected to an upper edge of the mattress cover with a zipper connector.