Abstract: A twist mop comprises a pole, fibers connected to the pole, and a movable collar connected to both the fibers and the pole, so that the collar is movable in an axial and radial direction about the pole, where radial movement of the collar pulls taut the fibers. The mop comprises an upper spline is connected to the pole, a pawl connected to the collar, to allow the collar to move in a radial direction clockwise or counterclockwise about the upper spline. The collar has a radial step to engage the pawl. The pawl is shaped to flex toward the radial step both when the collar axially traverses the pole and when the collar twists in a first direction, around the upper spline. The pawl being shaped to bias towards the upper spline while the collar turns in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, around the upper spline.

Abstract: A wholesale and/or retail check out station system includes a biometric finger print reader and storage for reading and storing biometric data of employees having access to the cash registers of the check out stations in the system. Authorization to use a cash register in the system is programmed into the microprocessor in the system, limiting use of a cash register to authorized employees. Employees are identified by finger print using biometric technology. Limitations of use is extended to access to operate particular cash register(s); handling returned merchandise at a cash register; refunds on returned purchases require authorization of the manager and the cashier; cashing checks at a cash register, where the limitation includes only cashing of employer drawn payroll checks of employees; and, clearing errors made in tabulations at a cash register. Unauthorized persons attempting to gain access to cash registers to which they are not authorized serves to activate an alarm.

Abstract: A squeegee assembly is described including a handle connected to a blade. The handle defines a hole for hanging the squeegee from a hook and undulations suitable for enhancing the grip. The blade defines a hole and an edge. The blade hole is configured and dimensioned for having a showerhead positioned therethrough and hanging from the showerhead. The blade hole can also apply a bias to the edge during cleaning. The edge is configured for cleaning and removing water from surfaces.

Abstract: The complex shaped articles are formed by trimming, cutting and shaping a honeycomb core material to a desired size and shape, deforming the sized and shaped honeycomb core material at ambient temperature; permanently setting the shape and contour of the sized and shaped honeycomb core material; affixing side edges to the shaped and contoured honeycomb core material; and, bonding a fiber reinforced resin to the top and bottom surfaces of the honeycomb core material.

Abstract: A rotating dish brush is described having a handle and a head. The handle includes a neck connected by a pin to the head. The rotating connection of the handle and head are limited by a pair of stops that also function as areas of force transfer from the handle to the head. The stops limit the relative movement of the head and handle between a first position and a second position. The head includes a set of bristles having a generally hemispherical shape. A loop is provided on the handle for hanging the rotating dish brush when it is not in use.

Abstract: Silver alloys having properties of fire scale resistance, reduced porosity and oxide formation and reduced grain size relative to traditional sterling silver alloys and useful work hardening performance are provided, comprising about 80-99.0% by weight silver, about 0.5-6% by weight copper, about 0.02-7% by weight of a firescale resisting additive selected from one or a mixture of zinc and silicon, and about 0.01-2.5% by weight germanium. Master alloys for production of the above alloys are also provided for, having the general composition comprising, by weight, about 2.5-99.85% copper, about 0.1-35% zinc or silicon or mixtures thereof, and about 0.05-12.5% germanium.

Abstract: There is disclosed a clear view cannula for use in surgical procedures having a tubular body, a cylindrical sleeve mounted about and slidably secured to the tubular body, and a plurality of shield members secured to the cylindrical sleeve. The cylindrical sleeve is slidably movable relative to the tubular body causing the shield members to expand and deploy such that the shield members retain torn and fragmented soft tissue within an anatomical cavity. Means are provided on the tubular body to co-act with means on the cylindrical sleeve to lock the expanded and deployed shield members and secure the tubular body within an anatomical body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a flexible mop base. The mop base comprises of a top layer and a bottom absorption layer attached to the top layer. The mop base further comprises at least one flexible end, wherein this flexible end is attached to the mop base through an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism allows the end to freely rotate from horizontal to perpendicular position with respect to the mop base. The mop base further comprises a handle attached to the top layer and capable of free rotation. The handle has a mop holder socket attached to it, which is also free to rotation to accommodate a user of the mop base when cleaning different surfaces.

Abstract: An illuminated novelty dice display having two opaque hollow dies with non-opaque dots on the die faces. The dots are illuminated by light sources within the hollow portions. The light sources are energized by an electric cord which may also be used to hang the dice from an overhead support such as a vehicle rear view mirror mounting bracket.

Abstract: A mixed cut gemstone having a brilliant cut crown, a girdle and a step cut pavilion. The step cut pavilion contains four rib lines running from the girdle to a culet, which can be a line or a point. These rib lines subdivide the pavilion into four sides, which, if the girdle is shaped like a square, are equivalent, and, if the girdle is shaped like a rectangle, then any two opposing sides are equivalent. The pavilion contains a multitude of steps, which add to an elegant and classic look of the gemstone. The crown contains a flat table in a form of a diamond, four corner facets and four upper girdle facets, thus, creating superior factors of dispersion, brilliance and scintillation. The table is slightly elevated due to the angles that the four corner facets and four upper girdle facets form with the girdle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting gems in jewelry through the use of screws. More particularly, precious gems are set in a cavity of a jewelry piece comprising gems holes, screw holes and grooved slots. Gems are positioned in the cavity with four gems surrounding each gem hole. A screw is used to secure the gems in the cavity of the jewelry. The present invention may be implemented in jewelry such as rings, earrings, bracelets, lockets and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for setting gems in jewelry through the use of screws. More particularly, precious gems are set in a cavity of a jewelry piece comprising gems holes, screw holes and grooved slots. Gems are positioned in the cavity with four gems surrounding each gem hole. A screw is used to secure the gems in the cavity of the jewelry. The present invention may be implemented in jewelry such as rings, earrings, bracelets, lockets and the like.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a method of inhibiting the formation of metalloproteinase and its species, within the eyes of a patient inflicted with at least one form of retinitis characterized by the presence of metalloproteinase, through the administration of an effective dosage that includes an a tetracycline analog, its salts, conjugates or derivatives. In an alternate preferred embodiment of the invention, the dosage includes at least one other therapeutic substance in effective combination with a tetracyline analog.

Abstract: A receiving frame, mounted on a horizontal platform includes a sub-frame that is tiltable, with respect to the platform, and has an elevator and elevator platform on its rear wall. The receiving frame receives a stack of tiers of plastic containers on a pallet. The pallet is positioned on the elevator platform. The sub-frame tilts 30 degrees off the vertical, out the open back of the receiving frame. A cover and tier sheet gripping device is provided, located above the top of the sub-frame, for securing and removing the top cover and tier sheets from the stack of tiers on the pallet, on the elevator platform. With the sub-frame tilted at 30 degrees off vertical, the elevator incrementally lifts its platform so that the base of the containers in the top tier and adjacent the rear wall of the sub-frame are at level with the top of the rear wall.

Abstract: There is disclosed a transdermal drug delivery system wherein a drug or therapeutic agent is encapsulated in a water soluble carbohydrate. The carbohydrate-encapsulated drug or therapeutic agent, in the form of finely divided particles, is suspended in a cyanoacrylate ester which is applied to the skin of a mammal. Moisture on the skin and contact with skin tissue causes the cyanoacrylate to polymerize and the moisture on the skin also dissolves the carbohydrate permitting the drug or therapeutic agent, over time, to enter the body system through the pores of the skin.