Abstract: A cosmetic brush that includes a plurality of polymer bristles that extend from a polymer core in a radial direction, wherein at least a portion of the core is twisted and bristles in the twisted portion are arranged in one or more columns disposed in one or more spiral paths that extend along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the core is presented.

Abstract: A cosmetic brush including a rod extending from a grip and a brush part defined proximate the opposite end of the rod. The brush part defines a plurality of brush bristles positioned in a twisted configuration and a plurality of comb bristles positioned in at least one non-twisted comb line.

Abstract: A cosmetic brush that includes a plurality of polymer bristles that extend from a polymer core in a radial direction, wherein at least a portion of the core is twisted and bristles in the twisted portion are arranged in one or more columns disposed in one or more spiral paths that extend along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the core is presented.

Abstract: A bed bug protection device for protecting humans, animals and objects from crawling pests such as bed bugs. The device includes a top component for contacting the top surface of bedding such as a mattress or box spring. The top component includes barrier material suitable for preventing pests from biting humans or animals resting on the bedding. The device further includes a fitted side skirt joined to the periphery of the top component that hinders bed bugs and similar pests from climbing up the covered bedding and gaining access to humans, animals, or objects resting atop the bedding. The device may be part of a system including pillow protectors, headboard and/or footboard protectors for preventing contact by traditional bed coverings with walls or bed structures that may be infested by bed bugs.

Abstract: A cosmetics brush and a method for manufacturing the same. The cosmetics brush includes a rod; a ferrule formed at an end of the rod; a bundle of fibers folded in the middle and inserted in the ferrule; and a fixing piece inserted in the folding of the fiber bundle with both ends engaged with the inner side of the ferrule. The method includes the steps of: feeding raw fiber; cutting the raw fiber; placing the cut raw fiber on a guide; feeding and fixing a rod formed with a ferrule contacting the guide; feeding a fixing piece; inserting the fixing piece with a pushing piece into the middle portion of the fiber bundle to fold and insert the bundle into the ferrule; and cutting and finishing the fibers of the bundle exposed out of the ferrule.

Abstract: A press-type dispensing container that includes an outer case that includes a hollow tube portion and a compressible region; and an inner member including a support portion that is configured to support a personal care product, wherein the inner component is contained within the outer case and is configured to migrate towards the shaft portion when the compressible region of the outer case is compressed by a user is presented.

Abstract: A pest control system for bed bugs or similar crawling pests. The system includes at least one intercept wall extending generally perpendicularly to the plane on which the pests are traveling for directing the pests to interact with a trap or a treatment zone. The effect of the intercept wall may be enhanced by provision of at least one substantially smooth guide surface positioned adjacent the intercept wall. When pests come into contact with a smooth surface they experience difficulty in traversing it. This causes the bugs to cling to the more textured surface that they are already traversing. The intercept wall is preferably placed in the direct path of the transition line between the textured surface and the smoother guide surfaces and forces the pests to interact with an adjacent trap or treatment zone.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for assisting a traveller in the preparation of visa applications. The method includes a step of collecting data for visa applications for one or more countries. In addition, user data of a traveller is stored in a database. Moreover, a visa application selected by the traveller is displayed on a computer. Further the selected application is automatically populated with stored user data.

Abstract: A pest control system for bed bugs or similar crawling pests. The system includes at least one intercept wall extending generally perpendicularly to the plane on which the pests are traveling for directing the pests to interact with a trap or a treatment zone. The effect of the intercept wall may be enhanced by provision of at least one substantially smooth guide surface positioned adjacent the intercept wall. When pests come into contact with a smooth surface they experience difficulty in traversing it. This causes the bugs to cling to the more textured surface that they are already traversing. The intercept wall is preferably placed in the direct path of the transition line between the textured surface and the smoother guide surfaces and forces the pests to interact with an adjacent trap or treatment zone.

Abstract: A bed covering device for protecting humans, animals and objects from crawling pests such as bed bugs. The device includes a top component for contacting the top surface of bedding such as a mattress or box spring. The top component includes barrier material suitable for preventing pests from biting humans or animals resting on the bedding. The device further includes a fitted side skirt joined to the periphery of the top component and having a slippery, i.e., low friction, exterior surface that hinders bed bugs and similar pests from climbing up the covered bedding and gaining access to humans, animals, or objects resting atop the bedding. The device may be part of a system including pillow protectors, headboard and/or footboard protectors for preventing contact by traditional bed coverings with walls or bed structures that may be infested by bed bugs.

Abstract: A mechanical mud bucket for collecting drilling fluid from tubular members of a drill string or work string. A first shell member includes a fluid outlet. A second shell member is pivotally attached to the first shell member. A seal mechanism and a mechanical locking component are attached to the first and second shell members. In an engaged position, the mechanical locking component locks the first and second shell members in a closed position such that the seal mechanism seals an inner space of the mechanical mud bucket and an annular space between one or more tubular members and the first and second shell members. A pressure control may be attached to the first or second shell members for maintaining atmospheric pressure within the inner space of the mechanical mud bucket when draining drilling fluid.

Abstract: A bio-organic composition includes residues of a fatty acid glyceride-containing composition, residues of a first epoxide or glycol, and the residues of a second epoxide. The fatty acid glyceride-containing composition is characterized by the viscosity at room temperature. The first epoxide or glycol and second epoxides are present in a sufficient amount that the room temperature viscosity of the bio-organic composition is lower than the room temperature viscosity of the vegetable oil prior to formulation and/or the first epoxide or glycol and second epoxides are present in a sufficient amount that the pour point of the bio-organic composition is lower than the pour point of the fatty acid glyceride-containing composition prior to formulation.

Abstract: A duct assembly for disposition in an attic of a building includes a first vent and a duct. The first vent defines an opening for fluidly communicating with air in an exterior of the building. The duct includes an elongated side defining a passage. The elongated side extends between a first end and a second end with the first end coupled to the first vent and with the passage in fluid communication with the opening of the first vent. The duct includes an end plate sized larger than the passage and sealed to the second end covering the passage at the second end. The elongated side includes an unperforated portion being unperforated and a perforated portion defining a hole for providing fluid communication from the opening of the first vent to the hole.

Abstract: An organic damping material which by itself has excellent damping properties without being combined with other material(s), need not have a certain thickness or volume for ensuring sufficient damping performance, and is easy to process. It is characterized by comprising a polymer matrix phase and a phase dispersed therein comprising one or two or more compounds selected among-(p-toluenesulfonylamido)diphenylamine, 4,4?-bis(?,?-dimethylbenzyl)diphenylamine, octylated diphenylamine, 2,2?-methylenebis(4-ethyl-6-tert-butylphenol, 4,4?-thiobis(3-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol.

Abstract: An electrical power system for crash helmets is described, including a storage cell configured to provide electrical energy to a power system, the storage cell being coupled to a processor and sealed within a lining of a helmet, and a pocket formed within the lining of the helmet, the pocket being configured to house the system. Also described is a connector configured to couple the storage cell to a power source, the power source being configured to charge the storage cell, and a distribution system configured to deliver electrical current from the storage cell to the power system.

Abstract: An electrical power system for crash helmets is described, including a storage cell configured to provide electrical energy to a power system, the storage cell being coupled to a processor and sealed within a lining of a helmet, and a pocket formed within the lining of the helmet, the pocket being configured to house the system. Also described is a connector configured to couple the storage cell to a power source, the power source being configured to charge the storage cell, and a distribution system configured to deliver electrical current from the storage cell to the power system.

Abstract: A bio-organic composition includes residues of a vegetable oil, residues of a first epoxide or glycol, and the residues of a second epoxide. The vegetable oil is characterized by the viscosity at room temperature. The first epoxide or glycol and second epoxides are present in a sufficient amount that the room temperature viscosity of the bio-organic composition is lower than the room temperature viscosity of the vegetable oil prior to formulation and/or the first epoxide or glycol and second epoxides are present in a sufficient amount that the pour point of the bio-organic composition is lower than the pour point of the vegetable oil prior to formulation.

Abstract: The automatic building mapping system comprises a tracker module that can be carried by a user and an optional command module which operate to automatically map the rooms of a building as a user traverses the rooms of the building. The tracker module includes a transducer system that determines the present distance from the user to each of the walls of the room, the location of openings in the walls as well as an inertial guidance system that precisely locates the user with respect to a known reference point. The data produced by the tracker module of the automatic building mapping system can be transmitted to a centrally located command module so that multiple units can simultaneously be tracked and a mapping of the building effected from different perspectives to thereby create an accurate composite layout map.

Abstract: A composite slab and joist assembly includes a joist, at least one deck panel on the joist, slab reinforcement above the joist and dock panel, and a slab of concrete formed on the deck panel and joist such that the slab encloses the slab reinforcement and a top portion of the joist. The joist includes a bottom chord, a top chord, and a web affixed therebetween. The top chord has first and second structural angles. The first structural angle has in cross-section a horizontally-extending leg and an upwardly-extending leg meeting at a corner. The second structural angle has in cross-section a horizontally-extending leg and a downwardly-extending leg meeting at a corner. The upper portion of the web is joined to the second structural angle against the downwardly-extending leg.

Abstract: The automatic building mapping system comprises a tracker module that can be carried by a user and an optional command module which operate to automatically map the rooms of a building as a user traverses the rooms of the building. The tracker module includes a transducer system that determines the present distance from the user to each of the walls of the room, the location of openings in the walls as well as an inertial guidance system that precisely locates the user with respect to a known reference point. The data produced by the tracker module of the automatic building mapping system can be transmitted to a centrally located command module so that multiple units can simultaneously be tracked and a mapping of the building effected from different perspectives to thereby create an accurate composite layout map.