Abstract: The invention relates to the actuation of a carrying and withdrawing device for milking units, a process is proposed in which for the attachment of the milking unit a downwardly directed additional force acts on the counterweight during a primary milking phase no additional force acts on the counterweight, and, during at least one secondary milking phase, an upwardly directed additional force acts on the counterweight.

Abstract: A method and kit for enhancing the natural fertility process. The kit includes a vaginal douche that is used prior to intercourse to enhance the sperm transportation and sustaining properties of the cervical mucous. The douche contains a balanced electrolyte solution, polysaccharides, and pH buffers. The kit also includes nutriceuticals specifically formulated for both the male and female which include amino acids, minerals, vitamins, herbs, phytoestrogens, and antioxidants along with a specified dosing regimen. A basal body temperature thermometer and chart is provided with instructions to confirm when and if ovulation will/did occur. Commercially available urinary chemical reagent strips are provided with instructions so as to predict/confirm if and when ovulation will occur. A lubricating medium will also be provided and utilized at the time of intercourse which is nonspermicidal and which contains polysaccharides which influence natural sperm motility.

Abstract: A superabsorbent polymer comprising a delayed absorption superabsorbent polymer having a free water absorbency property of absorbing less than about 3 grams of aqueous saline per gram of superabsorbent polymer in about 6 seconds, for a full particle size distribution of superabsorbent polymer ranging from about 40 micrometers to about 890 micrometers.

Abstract: The invention relates to absorptive, crosslinked polymers which are based on partly neutralized, monoethylenically unsaturated monomers carrying acid groups, and have improved properties, in particular in respect of their capacity for transportation of liquids in the swollen state, and which have been after-crosslinked on their surface at temperatures of at least 150° C. with a combination of polyol as after-crosslinking compound and a cation in the form of an aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method is provided to take advantage of naturally occurring factors that influence gender selection in such a way as to create a bias to conceive a specific gender. This is accomplished by teaching a woman how to recognize the various stages of her menstrual cycle and how and when to use ovulation predictor reagent strips to accurately predict when ovulation will occur. Specific instructions are provided as to when a couple should engage in intercourse. The method for influencing the chances of conceiving a child of a selected gender includes the steps of following a selected diet; supplementing said diet with selected nutriceuticals; douching with a selected douche prior to intercourse; and selectively timing intercourse.

Abstract: A device for cutting a fiber cable, in which a rotationally driven cutter supporting member and a rotatable pressing ring positioned at an incline relative to the cutter supporting member work together to cut the fiber cable. An annular channel formed on the outer circumference of the cutter supporting member is penetrated by a plurality of radially oriented cutting blades. The cutting blades are held in a cutter receiving member of a holding device, wherein a supporting ring radially supports the cutting blades. The width of the cutting blades is larger than the width of the annular channel. In order to consecutively use several areas of the cutting blades, the supporting ring is replaceable and is formed by an outer ring encircling the cutting blades or by an inner ring encircling the cutting blades. The cutting blades are held in the cutter receiving member and are radially moveable.

Abstract: A superabsorbent polymer comprising a delayed absorption superabsorbent polymer having a free water absorbency property of absorbing less than about 3 grams of aqueous saline per gram of superabsorbent polymer in about 6 seconds, for a full particle size distribution of superabsorbent polymer ranging from about 40 micrometers to about 890 micrometers.

Abstract: A system and method for texture mapping in a computer-aided design and automation system for mass customization. The system includes a 3-D body model and a virtual prototype model. A grid is drawn or printed on a fabric and the fabric is draped on a body. Photographs are then taken of the garment and entered into the system. A picture converter generates views of the garment from different angles and stores the pictures in a picture database. The grid lines on the fabric provide information on the flow of the fabric on the body. The picture converter converts the grid lines into the control line information that is stored in a 3-D library. This control line information enables subsequent accurate and consistent texture mapping. In the preferred embodiment, the texture mapping is based on a textile design database, which may be created from a fabric swatch or by textile design.

Abstract: For a line guide arrangement, a strand (1) of plastic is proposed, which comprises flexibly joined segments (2). The segments (2) are bounded by transverse separations (4) crosswise to the longitudinal direction of the strand (1). The transverse separations (4) extend to the vicinity of a support wall portion (5). The strand (1) includes at least one reinforcement fiber (6), which extends substantially parallel to the direction of the strand, and which is arranged substantially in the support wall portion (5), with at least one reinforcement fiber (6) being provided before or after forming the segments (2).

Abstract: An anodizing system for forming a anodized coating on at least a portion of a substrate thereby creating an anodized substrate is disclosed. The anodizing system includes a bath, a coating thickness monitor, at least one probe and at least one controller. The coating thickness monitor includes at least one radiation source directed at at least a portion of the anodized substrate; at least one probe for capturing at least a portion of the radiation reflected and refracted by the anodized coating on the anodized substrate, the captured radiation being at least a portion of the radiation directed the anodized substrate from the radiation source; and at least one detector in communication with the at least one probe, the at least one detector capable of processing the captured radiation to allow a determination of at least the thickness.

Abstract: The invention relates to absorvents for water and aqueous liquids, which are vased on water-swell-able, yet water-insoluble polymers wherein cyclodextrin or cyclodextrin derivatives and zeolites high in silicon have been incorporated ionically, covalently and/or as a result of mechanical inclusion.

Abstract: A method and kit for enhancing the natural fertility process. The kit includes a vaginal douche that is used prior to intercourse to enhance the sperm transportation and sustaining properties of the cervical mucous. The douche contains a balanced electrolyte solution, polysaccharides, and pH buffers. The kit also includes nutriceuticals specifically formulated for both the male and female which include amino acids, minerals, vitamins, herbs, phytoestrogens, and antioxidants along with a specified dosing regimen. A basal body temperature thermometer and chart is provided with instructions to confirm when and if ovulation will/did occur. Commercially available urinary chemical reagent strips are provided with instructions so as to predict/confirm if and when ovulation will occur. A lubricating medium will also be provided and utilized at the time of intercourse which is nonspermicidal and which contains polysaccharides which influence natural sperm motility.

Abstract: A composite of a substrate having an application of superabsorbent polymer. The composite is made by applying, directly onto the substrate, an application of a polymer that will, upon being subjected to radiation, convert to a superabsorbent polymer. The substrate with applied polymer is subjected to radiation, such as being heated at a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time, to obtain the composite of substrate with superabsorbent polymer adhered to it.

Abstract: A composition for dyeing material of synthetic aromatic polyamide fibers, said composition containing a mixture of (a) a cationic dye and (b) a cyclohexenone as a dye assistant. Preferably, 2-cyclohexen-1-one,3,5,5-trimethyl is the dye assistant.

Abstract: A superabsorbent polymer comprising a delayed absorption superabsorbent polymer having a free water absorbency property of absorbing less than about 3 grams of aqueous saline per gram of superabsorbent polymer in about 6 seconds, for a full particle size distribution of superabsorbent polymer ranging from about 40 micrometers to about 890 micrometers.

Abstract: A method for providing improved absorbency against pressure characteristics to non-surface crosslinked superabsorbent polymer fibers.

Abstract: A computer-aided design and automation system for mass customization. The system includes a 3-D body model and a virtual prototype model. The virtual prototype model includes a close fitting definition, a 3-D library loose fitting definition and texture mapping linked to the close fitting definition and the 3-D library loose fitting definition. The present invention may further include a 2-D spreader model for subsequent cut and sew manufacturing. The 3-D body model may be a dress form, a virtual dress form or a true body dress form created by a body scanner. In the preferred embodiment, the close fitting definition further includes a 3D close fitting definition library. Also, in the preferred embodiment, the 3-D library loose fitting definition is provided by a 2-D to 3-D converter which includes a 2-D pattern converter. In the preferred embodiment, the linked texture mapping is a textile design database, which may be created from a fabric swatch or by textile design.