Abstract: The banding device for application to a segment of footwear, whether it be to the heel, sole, around the vamp portion of the shoe, in any combination thereof, which due to its elasticity allows for its stretching into position to be secured either as an endless or continuous loop, or a segment of a length of elastic device, for application to these components of the shoe to vary the coloration, design, indicia, trademark, or other aesthetics for the footwear.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the operation of a television using a cable broadcasting network is disclosed. The presence of a viewer in front of the television is sensed, presence information is then transmitted to a cable broadcasting service center via the cable broadcasting network, a control signal is sent to the television adapted to receive same, and regular cable programming is suspended. The present invention allows the cable broadcasting company to provided additional services to the cable subscriber to retain and attract additional customers. These additional services may be tailored to the specific needs of the cable subscriber, thus a higher quality cable service is provided.

Abstract: A substantially alkaline resistant calcium-iron-phosphate (CFP) glass and methods of making and using thereof. In one application, the CFP glass is drawn into a fiber and dispersed in cement to produce glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) articles having the high compressive strength of concrete with the high impact, flexural and tensile strength associated with glass fibers.

Abstract: A sealing bag includes a valve 3 which is fitted to a bag body and which communicates interior and exterior of the bag body with each other. A ball valve element 5 of the valve 3 is placed in a tapered passageway 8 so as to be advanceable toward and retreatable from the interior side of the bag body, and can close the tapered passageway 8. A screw type cap 6 of the valve 3, which is fitted to a fitting hole 27 of a valve body 4 so as to be advanceable toward and retreatable from a smaller-diameter end portion of the tapered passageway 8, has a stopper portion which is to be inserted into the fitting hole 27 and contactable with the ball valve element 5.

Abstract: A trench MOSFET in parallel with trench junction barrier Schottky rectifier with trench contact structures is formed in single chip. The present invention solves the drawback brought by some prior arts, for example, the large area occupied by planar contact structure and high gate-source capacitance. As the electronic devices become more miniaturized, the trench contact structures of this invention are able to be shrunk to achieve low specific on-resistance of Trench MOSFET, and low Vf and reverse leakage current of the Schottky Rectifier.

Abstract: An ant or other insect bait stake, including a stake portion, formed having reinforcement aspects, including integrally formed corrugations, and having molded therewith a reservoir portion within which a liquid or paste like insecticide or bait may be located, such that when the reservoir is opened, and the ants obtain access thereto, the insecticide may be consumed for eradication of such pests. The reservoir may be of stepped configuration, so as to provide landings for locating of the insects, as they climb down to the insecticide, located internally of the reservoir, during usage of the bait stake.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions, e.g., kits, for removing contaminants from nucleic acids in a sample, e.g., environmental or biological samples such as soil, food, plant, animal, microorganism or water samples. The invention provides methods and compositions for isolating nucleic acids from environmental and biological samples in a scaleable process free of contaminating substances that inhibit PCR and other downstream applications. Exemplary sample types include soil, water, plant and food. The methods and compositions of the invention can be used for isolating and/or detecting nucleic acids from prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and for detecting multiple types of organisms in a sample. Thus, the methods and compositions of the invention are useful for detecting organisms pertaining to agriculture, forensics biology and/or combating bioterrorism.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes a machine-readable medium that stores a multimedia content file in a first format and multiple program sets. Each program set is a version of software that, when executed by a respective electronic system, produces the multimedia content file in a second format for use in the respective electronic system. A first program set is compatible with a first operating system executed by a first electronic system and a second program set is compatible with a second operating system executed by a second electronic system. The second operating system is distinct from the first operating system.

Abstract: A forearm crutch cover that provides padding in the forearm cradle to increase the comfort of the user and covers the pivoting attachment junction that attaches the forearm cradle to the pole of the forearm crutch to help prevent injury or damage caused at the pivoting attachment junction when the forearm cradle is moved. The cover may also include a forearm strap to prevent the cradle from slipping off the arm. An elastic tongue may act as a reset for cradle to prevent the cradle from falling downward and allows easy access to the cradle for the user.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for removing a contaminant or inhibitor from a nucleic acid-comprising sample, wherein the contaminant or inhibitor inhibits the amplification or hybridization of the nucleic acid in the sample, or inhibits an enzymatic reaction utilizing the nucleic acid in the sample, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a reaction mixture comprising the sample, a chaotropic agent, ammonium acetate or an equivalent, and a detergent, (b) isolating the nucleic acid and remaining contaminants and inhibitors from the reaction mixture in a supernatant; and (c) contacting the nucleic acid supernantant with a flocculant resulting in the further removal of the contaminant or the inhibitor from the supernatant. The invention also provides kits that comprise the components necessary to carry out the method.

Abstract: A packet transmission control apparatus comprising a storage unit configured to store a transmission resource usable for transmission of the packet, channel quality information on the downlink, and a transmission method used for transmission of the packet in association with each other; a determination unit configured to determine the transmission method used for transmission of the packet with reference to the storage unit based on the channel quality information on the downlink reported from a mobile station and the transmission resource usable for transmission of the packet; a redetermination unit configured to redetermine the transmission method used for transmission of the packet so as to minimize a padding portion in a transport block that forms the packet; and a packet transmission unit configured to transmit the packet with the redetermined transmission method.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for handling objects, in particular discs such as CD's having an aperture therein defining a rim. The apparatus comprises a first set of jaws moveable towards and away from one another and a second set of jaws moveable towards and away from one another. In use, the jaws of each set may be moved apart to exert a radial gripping force on the rims of the objects. The second set of jaws is extendible and retractable axially. By operating the sets of jaws through sequences of extension, gripping, retraction and releasing, the objects can be loaded onto or off of the apparatus. The gripping action of the jaws allows the apparatus to hold the objects in any orientation.

Abstract: A shoe, sandal, beach shoe, or other form of footwear, integrates a slot within its sole structure, as this footwear is assembled, and within the slot is a continuous band, that may form part of the shoe vamp, strapping, or related structure, and which vamp or band may be turned, for displaying different coloration or designs, texture, or means for providing support, massaging, or stimulation, of the foot, as through interiorly protruding tips, or to form and dispose apertures that furnish ventilation and aeration to the foot thereunder, all in order to change the aesthetics of the footwear at the desire of the user. In addition, to add to the structural integrity of the constructed shoes, a part of the vamp or its strapping, may extend upwardly, and have a loop formed therein, or even loop back on itself, and which may embrace the upper part of the changeable vamp, to facilitate its retention, and structural configuration, when the vamp is turned, to vary its appearance.

Abstract: A toy having retractable appendages, the toy comprising a body portion and a first appendage and a second appendage pivotably connected to the body portion to allow the appendages to be placed in a retracted position. The appendages biased by a spring arrangement into an unretracted position. A releasable locking mechanism retains the appendages into a retracted position when locked and allows the appendages to return to the unretracted position when released. In a preferred embodiment, the toy is configured as a motorcycle, wherein the first and second appendages each have a wheel rotatably connected thereto. In another embodiment, one of the wheels comprises a flywheel.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with both a method and an apparatus for handling objects, in particular discs such as CD's or the like having an aperture therein defining a rim, the method comprising the steps of providing an elongate arm, and providing an elongate support adjacent the arm; extending the arm through the aperture of at least one of the discs; engaging the arm with the rim of the disc; retracting the arm such as to position the rim over the support; and displacing the arm such that the rim is engaged by the support, and then repeating this sequence of steps in order to stack a plurality of the discs onto the support for subsequent transfer and unloading.

Abstract: Footwear, in the category of a sandal, and which may include a thong, slide-on, clog, or related structured sandal, wherein one side or the other of a tongue, upper vamp, or sandal strap may be adhered to an upper part of the sandal sole, or its vamp or cross strap, so that one side of the sandal strap structure may be displayed during its wearing, and can be turned to expose its opposite surface for varying the styling of the worn sandal. The tongue, upper vamp, or strap may be secured by a fastening device, such as a swivel, that allows for turning of these components to expose a selected surface in order to vary the aesthetics and appearance of the worn sandal.