Abstract: A floss dispenser has an essentially cylindrical case, the case including a cylindrical wall with an inner surface and two opposite ends. The case further includes an opening formed in at least one end for receiving a spool having floss wrapped around a hub. A cap is received within the opening in the end of the case. The cap has an annular wall for receiving and centering the hub of the spool when the cap is sealing the opening of the case, and at least one opening formed therein through which floss is threaded out of the end of the case. For securely attaching the cap to the case, a first interlocking engagement member associated with the cap engages a mating second interlocking engagement member associated with the case. The arrangement is such that upon insertion of the cap into the open end of the case and rotating the cap, the first engagement member of the cap engages the second engagement member of the case for preventing the axial movement of the cap relative to the case.

Abstract: An electrically conductive adhesive is described that is made of a porous substrate having numerous passages extending through it. The walls of the substrate defining the passages are plated with a conductive metal. This provides a continuous plating from one side of the porous substrate to the other. The remaining passage volume is substantially filled with an adhesive resin. The adhesive can be used to electrically connect two metal surfaces.

Abstract: A composite membrane is provided which includes a base material and an ion exchange resin. The base material has a microstructure characterized by nodes interconnected by fibrils, or a microstructure characterized by fibrils with no nodes present. The ion exchange resin substantially impregnates the membrane such that the membrane is essentially air impermeable.

Abstract: A buckling beam type electrical connector is provided which is operable to selectably protect the contact ends of the buckling beam elements from physical damage.

Abstract: A vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) has an active region, first and second mirror stacks forming a resonant cavity with a radial variation in index forming a transverse optical mode, and a thin insulating slot within the cavity to constrict the current to a diameter less than the beam waist of the optical mode thereby improving device efficiency and preferentially supporting single mode operation. In one embodiment, an insulating slot is formed by etching or selectively oxidizing a thin aluminum-containing semiconductor layer in towards the center of a cylindrical mesa. The slot thickness is sufficiently thin that the large index discontinuity has little effect on the transverse optical-mode pattern. The slot may be placed near an axial standing-wave null to minimize the perturbation of the index discontinuity and allow the use of thicker slots.

Abstract: A thermally conductive interface is provided suitable for thermal conduction, especially between electronic components. The preferred thermally conductive interface comprises an open structure fluoropolymer material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, with uncoated thermally conductive particles attached to solid portions thereof. The interface has numerous benefits over previously available material, such as improved thermal conductivity, high conformability, better compressibility, inherent porosity so as to provide air relief, improved stress relief, and high material compliance and resistance to fatigue during thermal cycling.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a single use dental floss dispenser comprises a tri-fold assembly having a base portion and first and second covering portions. The first and second covering portions are foldably attached to the base portion along respective first and second folds. The first and second covering portions are foldable onto the base portion to define an enclosure having an interior. A predetermined length of dental floss is contained within the interior of the enclosure. The length of dental floss has opposed first and second ends. At least the first end of the length of dental floss is attached to an interior surface of the first covering portion.

Abstract: An improved electrical conductor is provided which includes an electrical conductor having an insulating layer which electrically insulates the electrical conductor. The insulating layer is substantially pinhole free having a thickness of less than about 30 .mu.m.

Abstract: An electrically powered dehumidifier is provided which has no moving mechanical parts. The dehumidifier employs convection of a deliquescent solution around a fluid circuit having vapor permeable windows. The apparatus is driven by a solid state electronic heat pump, such as a Peltier effect solid-state heat pump, for example.

Abstract: A quad or dual differential pair cable for bi-directional high speed differential signal transmission has a first differential pair of conductors and a second differential pair of conductors. The conductors extend in substantially parallel relation to one another and are electrically insulated from each other by an insulating dielectric. The dielectric and the conductors are surrounded by a conductive metal shield. The dielectric insulates the conductors both from each other and from the shield and is sufficiently crush resistant to maintain the conductors in substantially parallel relation to one another over the length of the cable, The shield may be covered with an optional jacket. Each wire of a differential pair of wires are oriented 180 degrees apart from one another. The distance between any one of the conductors and the shield is equal to or greater than the distance between that conductor and a center axis of the cable.

Abstract: A composite conductor having improved high frequency signal transmission characteristics is provided which includes a conductive base and a conductive coating.

Abstract: A backshell housing and connector assembly are provided with strain relief in which the housing has a top and bottom shell with front and rear sections. Ledges with horizontal grooves disposed therein are located at the front sections of both shells. Piercing means are also provided on at least one ledge that pierces the web of jacket insulation when the housing is assembled. Energy directors are also provided that capture ultrasonic energy and cause welding of the two shells.

Abstract: An article is provided for facilitating oral prophylaxis. The article comprises a continuous, elongated fiber of polytetrafluoroethylene having at least one substantially rigid first portion and a substantially flexible second portion comprised of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an improved hand covering is provided which is defined by mating first and second hand shaped portions seamed one to each other to form a complete hand covering. The hand covering defines at least one finger stall, a thumb stall, a palm portion, a dorsal portion, and at least one finger crotch. At least one vertical fold is permanently defined in the hand covering. The at least one vertical fold is oriented substantially parallel to the at least one finger stall. The at least one vertical fold reduces an original palm circumferential dimension of the hand covering in an amount from about 10% to about 50%.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved vial-type floss dispenser. The floss dispenser has a spool of floss mounted upright in a cylindrical container with a unique cap design that allows floss to be smoothly dispensed through the cap of the dispenser, essentially parallel to the axis of the spool of floss. Tangling and snagging problems previously encountered with top-dispense floss vials of this type are avoided by the improved cap design that allows the free spinning of the spool within the container. The top-dispense mechanism of the present invention enables the use of a number of other improved features, including a protective lid that fully covers an exposed leader of floss between uses.

Abstract: An electrical connector system includes a housing, at least one electrical cable assembly, at least one retaining member and a resilient locking member. The housing has formed therethrough at least one retention window and at least one shaped aperture which is formed through a rear portion of the housing. The at least one retaining member is dimensioned to substantially mirror the dimension of the at least one shaped aperture. The at least one retaining member has an internal surface which defines a channel portion having a predetermined diametral dimension. The channel portion terminates to a slot. The at least one retaining member snap-fittingly engages an individual at least one electrical cable. The at least one electrical cable and the at least one retaining member are insertably received by an individual shaped aperture. A resilient locking member is made integral with each at least one retaining member.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved cable for use in accurate signal transmission where limited space may be available for cable termination to a backplane or other interface. The cable of the present invention employs highly effective insulation materials of whatever diameter may be required along the majority of its length, but reduces the diameter of such materials at connective ends of the cable. As a result, very accurate, high speed signal transmission is provided while allowing high density cable attachment at input/output ports. Further, the present invention provides an improved method for rapidly and accurately constructing a cable with changed diameter along its length.