Abstract: A foldable breathing mask formed with a deep-drawn mask body and sufficiently rigid so as to retain its shape and including at least one fold line for a storage folding of the mask body is a predefined manner.

Abstract: A multi-piece dual mode headphone, including: a molded elongated member, a rear molded insert member and an intermediate member all together forming a headphone with a channel extending through the interior of the headphone. A small speaker for transmitting sound energy is positioned in the headphone to direct the sound energy through the channel to the eardrum. The molded rear insert member includes a cap member and with positioning of the cap member providing for the headphone being in a first mode of operation where the channel extending through the interior of the headphone is open and a second mode of operation where the channel extending through the interior of the headphone is closed.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for determining spinal instability, more particularly, a method for quantifying the type and extent of spinal instability in a standardized way. The disclosure also describes a method comprising measurement of the intervertebral rotation and intervertebral translation between a vertebrae pair using simple images, and from these measurements, determining if one or more vertebrae pair of the spine is unstable. Finally, the disclosure describes software that may be used to quantify the type and extent of spinal instability.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of applications for Internet based websites. Moreover, it pertains specifically to a system and method for wagering on an artist. In the preferred embodiment, system participants use an electronic exchange to place wagers related to the popularity profile of an artist.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filter cartridge for an air filtering device, in particular for a filtering face mask and a method for manufacturing a filter cartridge, comprising a stiff cup-shaped casing having a bottom and a circumferential sidewall extending at least section-wise parallel to one axis, a stiff discoidal lid and a filter bed of loose filter material compressed between the lid and the casing, the lid and the bottom containing each at least one through-hole so that air to be filtered passes through the filter bed, and at least one of the lid and the bottom being curved to at least one direction, whereby the lid is at least essentially arranged within the casing, the outermost contour of the lid close-fitting to the inner contour of the sidewall, and fixed thereto by a direct connection, particularly by a non-detachable connection.

Abstract: A concert profiling server (CPS) obtains and analyzes information about a venue hosting a music concert and mobile phone location information related to the audience members attending the concert. Based on this information, the CPS determines the size of the audience in attendance. The CPS also obtains and analyzes sentiment information related to audience members at the concert with which the CPS determines the audience's sentiment toward the concert as favorable or unfavorable. The CPS further obtains and analyzes other information with which it makes a profile of the demographics of the audience and the audience members' levels of engagement.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing products are provided. Each of a pair of elongate retaining members is pivotally secured at a first end of a base. Each of a pair of carriages is movable along a corresponding one of the retaining members and fixable to the corresponding one of the retaining members at a plurality of locations. Each carriage has a clip for capturing a projecting portion of the product. A stop member engages a portion of the product spaced apart from the projecting portions captured by the clips. The stop member is movable toward the clips in a single degree of freedom and is fixable to the base at a plurality of locations along the degree of freedom. Methods of securing a product using the apparatus are provided.

Abstract: A respirator mask and a method of making the respirator mask that includes a lens member and a plurality of buckle members spaced around the lens member. A flange member is overmolded to the lens member and to the spaced buckle members at the same time by the following method. A mold member is provided to have individual mold supports to individually receive and support the lens member and to individually receive and support the buckle members at the spaced positions around the lens member. The mold member forms a flange cavity around the lens member and extending to the buckle members. The lens member is positioned within its individual mold support and the buckle members are positioned within their individual mold supports at the spaced positions around the lens member. The molding material is then injected into the flange cavity to form a flange that overmolds to the lens member while at the same time overmolds to the buckle members to form the respirator mask.

Abstract: A uni-directional valve for an air path of a ventilation device. A flexible valve element is held biased in a housing of the uni-directional valve to close at least one air passage located in a sealing section and with a sealing portion to at least partially open the air passage if the valve element is impinged by a sufficient air pressure against the bias. The valve element is designed as cylinder and the sealing portion is located on the lateral surface of the cylinder. The sealing portion is located opposite to a support portion located on the lateral surface of the cylinder. The support portion interacts with a support section of the housing. The distance between the support section and the sealing section of the housing is smaller than the distance between the support portion and the sealing portion in the unbiased state of the valve element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a breathing mask, in particular for human beings, comprising a flexible mask body designed to fit over a mouth and nose on a user's face, at least one sealing lip for a gas-proof fit on the user's face, comprising at least one inhalation valve penetrating the mask body, a filter material assigned to the inhalation valve and an exhalation valve penetrating the mask body. It is intended that a manually actuable test valve is arranged downstream of the exhalation valve and designed to provide a gas passage from the exhalation valve to the surroundings in its normal state and to close said passage in its actuated state.

Abstract: Tablets for the controlled release of an active ingredient in a zero-order or near zero-order fashion are provided. The tablet includes a core and a coating. The core includes at least one active pharmaceutical agent and a polyethylene oxide with a molecular weight of between about 1,000,000 and 10,000,000, preferably between about 4,000,000 and 8,000,000. The core material is optionally, but preferably, coated with a cellulosic material. The active pharmaceutical agent can be hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or amphiphilic. When the active pharmaceutical agent is a hydrophilic agent, it is preferred that the coating is a relatively hydrophobic cellulose, such as ethylcellulose or propylcellulose. However, if the tablet is uncoated, it can provide a near-zero-order release rate rather than a zero-order release rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filter material for respirator masks. The filter material comprises a filter material layer that is pleated so as to form a plurality of folds, said filter material layer comprising a filter layer and a first netting layer. The invention is characterized in that the filter material layer comprises a second netting layer disposed on the filter layer on the side opposite to said first netting layer. The invention additionally relates to a respirator mask comprising such a filter material.

Abstract: This invention discloses a system for determining whether a purported or alleged authorized user is in fact the authorized user, by comparing new data on a real-time basis against probability distribution representations including an authorized user probability distribution representation and a global or wide population probability distribution representation, to provide a probability as to whether the purported authorized user is the authorized user. This invention may utilize keyboard dynamics or data, or X-Y device data, or other data from similar measurable characteristics, to determine the probability that the new data from the purported authorized user indicates or identifies that user as the authorized user. This invention identifies the user continuously as the user interacts with the system and to identify a change in situation in the environment of the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of making a corded earplug, including a flexible cord material having a particular cross-section. An earplug having a nose portion for insertion into the ear and a handle portion extending from the nose portion and lying outside of the ear when the nose portion is inserted into the ear. The handle portion including at least two openings physically displaced from each other. At least one of the openings extends within the handle portion and with at least one of the openings having a cross-section different than the cross-section of the cord material. An end portion of the flexible cord material is inserted into the at least one opening extending within the handle portion.

Abstract: A system and a related method are disclosed for authenticating an electronic transaction. Input behavioral data is captured related to measured interactions with at least one input device. The input data is compared to probability distribution representations for a demographic group and for a wide population, performing the measured interaction(s). The system is configured to authenticate the electronic transaction based on the comparing.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for creating personalized media content having multiple content layers in “one-click” fashion by selecting a background media template or by using an end-user media composition tool to create or modify a template. For example, the personalized media content can include at least two separate layers, the data of each being stored independently of one another. The two layers may include a background layer including at least one background character and an intermediate layer including an individualized three-dimensional (3D) head model, alignment information, and lighting information. The personalized media content can be displayed by overlaying the background layer using the alignment intermediate layer using the alignment information and the lighting information. In certain examples, template data associated with the background media is created and subsequently used on multiple occasions in generating personalized media content with various 3D head models.

Abstract: A method computer program for displaying relative movement between vertebrae or other medical objects is provided. The method generally includes acquiring at least two images of adjacent vertebrae, wherein the at least two images are acquired from a substantially similar acquisition position and illustrate the vertebrae in two different positions. The method further includes displaying a first image to a user on a screen, displaying a second image to the user overlaid onto the first image, translating, via user input, the first or second image to align a stationary feature present in both the first and second images, and alternately displaying the translated first and second images to display relative movement between the stationary feature and adjacent features.