Abstract: A heat exchanging device absorbs heat from a heat source, in the form of waste fluid, and exchanges the absorbed heat to an object which benefits from warming. The heat exchanging device is coupled to a first structure, the combination of the heat exchanging device and the first structure forming a passage for the waste fluid to flow. Within the passage, absorption fins absorb heat from the waste fluid. The device is also engaged with a second structure which contains the object which benefits from warming. The heat absorb by the fins and the remaining body of the heat exchanging device is exchanged to the second structure, which in turn exchanges the heat to the object contained within the second structure. The heat exchanging device exchanges the heat from the waste fluid to the object in a simple and cost effective manner.

Abstract: A mechanism is provided for unwinding ribbon from a supply spool, for rolling the ribbon to form a wound roll, and for cutting the roll free of the supply. The rolled ribbon segments resulting from this operation are transported to a conveyor for assembly with a toy balloon.

Abstract: The present invention is a device which installed in a vehicle that enables a vehicle trunk to be opened from the interior of the trunk and enables at least one of the tail lights to blink. The present invention can be retrofit to existing vehicles by connecting a prepared box and wiring harness to the vehicle power supply, trunk release solenoid, and taillights. The present invention has a ON/OFF switch which enables the circuit controlling the blinking of at least one tail light. A second switch activates the trunk release opening solenoid causing the trunk lock retract opening the trunk. The present invention is mounted in such a way as to be operable by an individual confined to the trunk and be concealed from the casual observer.

Abstract: A flame retardant polyolefin composition comprises at least about 25% by weight magnesium hydroxide and, preferably, at least about 30%, at least about 5% by weight melamine and, preferably, at least about 20%, and at least about 0.5% by weight novolac and, preferably at least about 1%.

Abstract: A device for positioning a milking machine inflation onto an animal's teat. The device is rubber and has an opening through the device. The device fits over the head of an inflation with the inflation head stopping at an inflation plate inside the device. The inflation with device is positioned over the animal's teat near the udder. The device spaces the inflation from the udder, thus preventing creep of the inflation up the teat and the resultant pinching of the milk canal. Flexible tabs can be provided to the spacer to retain the spacer on the teat. Clip or clips can be provided to hold the device onto the inflation. The device is external to the inflation and is easily removed after milking is completed. The device is easily transferable to another inflation.

Abstract: A flange driver for a cardan joint with a spider comprised of two pins mutually offset by 90.degree. and two essentially same-design yoke halves. Each yoke half includes a base and a bearing part with a bore contained in it. Both yoke halves abutt along an interface which is essentially perpendicular to the axis of a first spider pin supported by the yoke. Both yoke halves feature a system for torque transmission from the shaft adjoining the joint to the flange driver and to the spider or in reverse order. Both yoke halves of the flange driver are joined to each other positively. Each yoke half features on its interface a toothing directed toward the respective complementary interface. The flank lines of the toothing or a plurality of tangents to the flank lines, projected in a common plane with the yoke axis, extend at an angle greater than 0.degree. to smaller than 180.degree. relative to the yoke axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning fecal matter from the interior of an extracted animal intestine is disclosed. The apparatus has a horizontal tube member for supporting an intestine; support members attached to opposite sides of said tube member for supporting the side portions of a slit intestine; a transporter mounted below and adjacent to the bottom side of said tube for moving intestines from adjacent the distal end of said tube towards the proximal end; a cutting blade mounted above said tube member; and a plurality of nozzles arranged at transversely opposite sides of said tube member for directing fluid downwardly and about the top side of said pipe member. A method for cleaning animal intestines using such an apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic expander (12) allows for reading a plurality of utility meters (14) with an interrogation device (30) via a common electronic access point (16) wherein the interrogation device (30) interrogates and receives meter usage data from all of the meters (14) during a single coupling with the common electronic access point (16).

Abstract: A window pour mold has an outer wall mounted against a front wall and a back wall of a wall mold for a concrete wall. The outer wall has a top that extends from the front wall horizontally for a short length and obliquely downward on a curve for a longer length.

Abstract: A method for mold heater startup and sequencing detects the heater zones associated with greater mass and allows them to heat up before zones of lesser mass, thereby reducing wear of the associated mechanical components and minimizing degradation of plastic material. The zones of smaller mass are kept at minimal temperatures until the zones with greater mass reach a set point. The system is capable of detecting multiple levels of thermal load and provides appropriate sequential startup of the identified thermal loads. The operator may also manually program the system to override certain automated sequences in order to ensure an optimal startup sequence. The sequencing of power application to large heaters also minimizes the peak current draw of the system.

Abstract: Disclosed are the dbp gene and dbp-derived nucleic acid segments from Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme disease, and DNA segments encoding dbp from related borrelias. Also disclosed are decorin binding protein compositions and methods of use. The DBP protein and antigenic epitopes derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the treatment of pathological Borrelia infections, and in particular, for use in the prevention of bacterial adhesion to decorin. DNA segments encoding these proteins and anti-(decorin binding protein) antibodies will also be of use in various screening, diagnostic and therapeutic applications including active and passive immunization and methods for the prevention of Borrelia colonization in an animal. These DNA segments and the peptides derived therefrom are contemplated for use in the preparation of vaccines and, also, for use as carrier proteins in vaccine formulations, and in the formulation of compositions for use in the prevention of Lyme disease.

Abstract: A two-way ratchet mechanism operated by a plunger that moves a pawl housing in one of two directions. The ratchet mechanisms are preferably used in a children's game to simultaneously gather game pieces in receptacles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptively reconfiguring a neighbor cell list. For a selected cell of a cellular system, data associated with the selected cell and each of a plurality of neighboring base stations is collected. The collected data includes data on events indicative of the quality of handoffs from the selected cell to each of the neighboring base stations. The collected data also includes signal level measurements made on measurement channels of the neighboring base stations. A plurality of quality values, each associated with the selected cell and one of the neighboring cells, are then determined from the collected data. A neighbor cell list is then generated for the selected cell by determining the highest quality values, and placing the handoff measurement channels of the neighboring cells associated with the highest quality values in the neighbor cell list.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer 20 includes an electron multiplier 30 for producing an electron avalanche 58 directed toward an ionization region 38. A sample 40 enters the ionization region 38 through a sample inlet 68. In the ionization region 38 the electron avalanche 58 collides with the sample 40 and produces ions 60. A start detector 56 detects the electron avalanche 58 and provides a start signal. The ions 60 exit the ionization region 38 and enter a flight region 26. The ions 60 flow through the flight region 26 and interact with a stop detector 42. The stop detector 42 generates a stop signal in response to being activated. A low pressure enclosure 22 encloses at least the electron multiplier 30 and the ionization region 38. The start and stop signals are supplied to an analysis system for determining the mass of the sample using time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling power to a capacitive load includes a DC power source coupled in series with an inductor and the capacitive load. The inductor provides for resonant charging of the capacitive load from the DC source. A second inductor is used for resonantly discharging the capacitive load back to the power source. Solid state switches are included for selectively activating the charging and discharging of the capacitive load. An energy absorbing load is selectively coupled across the capacitive load to remove any residual voltage after a discharging process.

Abstract: A water processable photopolymeric composition for use in the manufacture of flexographic photopolymer printing plates is disclosed. Preferably, the flexomer blend includes a flexomer having an affinity for water combined with a hydrophilic crosslinking agent, a nonhydrophilic crosslinking agent, a swell enhancing filler, a hydrophilic plasticizer, a compatibilizer and a surfactant. The compatibilizer aids the blending of the hydrophilic components with the flexomer blend.

Abstract: An orthosis is operable to vary the extent of supination or pronation of a hand connected with an arm of a patient. The orthosis includes a lower cuff which grips distal end portions of the ulna and radius in a lower portion of the arm of the patient. An upper cuff grips an upper portion of the arm of the patient. A drive assembly is operable to rotate the lower cuff and the distal end portions of the ulna and radius about an axis which extends through the wrist and elbow of the arm of the patient while the upper portion of the arm of the patient is held against movement by the upper cuff. The drive assembly includes a main gear which is connected with the lower cuff and a base of the orthosis. The lower cuff extends through a central opening in the main gear and is rotatable with the main gear about the axis which extends through the wrist and elbow of the patient. A second drive assembly may be provided to move sections of the base relative to each other to bend the elbow of the patient.