Abstract: A method of providing a preview version of a book over a computer network, the method comprising: apportioning the book into a plurality of content segments; modifying the book by rearranging at least a subset of the plurality of content segments to create a shuffled configuration of the book; initiating a preview session and displaying at least a first content segment from said shuffled configuration of the book in a preview window; displaying a next group of content segments from said shuffled configuration of the book during said preview session upon receiving a prompt from user to continue browsing; and controlling the availability of said shuffled configuration of the book during said preview session. A user may further customize preview version by providing a search input or by selecting a page range. Shuffled preview version may include one or more advertisements.

Abstract: A method for controlling the release of an as-rendered configuration of a digital work, comprising the steps of presenting said digital work as a composite of a plurality of layers comprising at least a first layer and a second layer; providing a rendering protocol interface which is adapted for defining said as-rendered configuration of the digital work by specifying a first rendering status of said first layer and a second rendering status of said second layer; providing a rendering protocol facility adapted for storing and controlling the release of said first and second rendering status of said first and second layers respectively in accordance with said as-rendered configuration; restricting unauthorized access to the rendering protocol interface, thereby preventing unauthorized modification of said as-rendered configuration; and releasing said digital work with said as-rendered configuration. The method has application in selling books, movies, software, music and other information products.

Abstract: A method for controlling the release of an as-rendered configuration of a digital work, comprising the steps of presenting said digital work as a composite of a plurality of layers comprising at least a first layer and a second layer; providing a rendering protocol interface which is adapted for defining said as-rendered configuration of the digital work by specifying a first rendering status of said first layer and a second rendering status of said second layer; providing a rendering protocol facility adapted for storing and controlling the release of said first and second rendering status of said first and second layers respectively in accordance with said as-rendered configuration; restricting unauthorized access to the rendering protocol interface, thereby preventing unauthorized modification of said as-rendered configuration; and releasing said digital work with said as-rendered configuration. The method has application in selling books, movies, software, music and other information products.

Abstract: A method for controlling the release of an as-rendered configuration of a digital work, comprising the steps of presenting said digital work as a composite of a plurality of layers comprising at least a first layer and a second layer; providing a rendering protocol interface which is adapted for defining said as-rendered configuration of the digital work by specifying a first rendering status of said first layer and a second rendering status of said second layer; providing a rendering protocol facility adapted for storing and controlling the release of said first and second rendering status of said first and second layers respectively in accordance with said as-rendered configuration; restricting unauthorized access to the rendering protocol interface, thereby preventing unauthorized modification of said as-rendered configuration; and releasing said digital work with said as-rendered configuration. The method has application in selling books, movies, software, music and other information products.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of reinforcing medical balloons by providing equally spaced axial reinforcement yarns around a pressurized and hermetically sealed balloon. The axial reinforcement yarns and the balloon are subsequently wrapped with a circumferential reinforcement yarn and the axial and circumferential reinforcement yarns are bonded to the outer surface of the balloon by the use of an adhesive.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for reinforcing medical balloons. The apparatus may be used for reinforcing any medical balloon by using a hollow tubular reinforcement sleeve. The sleeve may be in the form of a tubular braid, a tubular warp knitted fabric, a tubular weft knitted fabric or a tubular woven fabric. The apparatus may also be used for wrapping reinforcement yarns around the balloon.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a porous punctal plug by providing a multi-filament fibrous strand and extrusion coating the fibrous strand with a polymeric material coating and cutting the coated fibrous strand to adequate length for insertion into a mammal's punctal opening.

Abstract: A method of making a non-clogging porous fibrous mass is disclosed. The fibrous mass comprises intimately blended first and second groups of staple fibers having different tack points and longitudinal stress-free shrinkages. The fibrous mass is fed into and pulled through a heat bonding and shaping die and cut to a desired length. Specific ratios of weight percent to fiber denier and differences between the longitudinal stress-free shrinkages of the groups of fibers are utilized in order to render the bonded fibrous mass non-clogging.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of and an apparatus for making reinforced medical balloons. The method and the apparatus described may be used for reinforcing any medical balloon by using a hollow tubular reinforcement sleeve. The sleeve may be in the form of a tubular braid, a tubular warp knitted fabric, a tubular weft knitted fabric or a tubular woven fabric.

Abstract: A method for controlling distribution and access to an information product, said method comprising the steps of: superposing a utility-reducing masking effect on said information product; controlling the presence, absence and/or permanence of said masking effects by the outcome of an interactive communication between a provider and a receiver of said information product. The term information product includes books, video recordings, audio recordings, music, images and multimedia works. The masking effects described in the present invention are of a generally interfering nature and can be superposed on the information object as an overlay, interruption, interference, discontinuity, disturbance or disorientation. The purpose of imposing a masking effect is to derive a masked version of the information product for preview purposes that can be readily distributed to interested customers in an unrestricted manner.

Abstract: A non-clogging, non-dripping and spillage and leakage-proof air-scenting device is disclosed in which a flat bonded porous fibrous mass is impregnated with a mass of air-scenting liquid not exceeding the dripping liquid mass of the extent of the bonded fibrous mass. The surface segments of the fibrous mass have at least one of i) higher capillary pressure, ii) higher mass density, and iii) lower average fiber denier than the interior body of the fibrous mass. The bonded fibrous mass is enclosed between two impermeable membranes sealed around their perimeter and having an opening covered with a removable impermeable liner.

Abstract: A non-clogging, non-dripping and spillage and leakage-proof air-scenting method is disclosed in which a non-clogging porous bonded fibrous mass is impregnated with air-scenting liquid of a mass not exceeding and preferably less than the dripping liquid mass of the extent of the fibrous mass. The surface segments of the fibrous mass draw air-scenting liquid from the interior of the fibrous mass. The rate of evaporation of the air-scenting liquid is controlled by allowing evaporation of the air-scenting liquid only through predetermined uncovered segments of the exterior surface of the fibrous mass.

Abstract: A non-dripping and spillage and leakage-proof air-scenting method is disclosed in which a porous bonded fibrous mass is impregnated with air-scenting liquid of a mass not exceeding and preferably less than the dripping liquid mass of the extent of the fibrous mass. The surface segments of the fibrous mass draw air-scenting liquid from the interior of the fibrous mass. The rate of evaporation of the air-scenting liquid is controlled by allowing evaporation of the air-scenting liquid only through predetermined uncovered segments of the exterior surface of the fibrous mass.

Abstract: A method is provided for reinforcing medical balloons in order to withstand high internal pressures without excessive dilation of the reinforced balloon. The method calls for the use of a tubular reinforcement sleeve and a device designed for holding the balloon, stretching the reinforcement sleeve, application of yarn wrappings around the reinforcement sleeve, application of adhesive and curing the adhesive.

Abstract: A method is provided for making punctal plugs by providing a fibrous strand and extrusion or dip coating the fibrous strand with a polymeric coating and cutting the coated fibrous strand to adequate length for insertion into a mammal body conduit, vessel, cavity, canal, artery, or vein.

Abstract: An air-scenting device, which can be mounted vertically, horizontally or at any orientation, including upside down, without any leakage or dripping is disclosed in which there is no free-to-flow fluid under gravitational force, thus causing no spillage at any orientation. The device comprises a barrel containing an open-cell porous mass which contains air-scenting liquid within its pores and a porous wick surrounded by a cage, having perforations, and allowing evaporation of air-scenting fluid transferred to it by capillary action.

Abstract: A breathing mask with debris deflector features small debris deflectors that close the gaps between the bottom profile of the eyewear worn by the user and the mask face-contacting perimeter. The debris deflectors are positioned, oriented and profiled to prevent fine debris from reaching and harming the eyes of the mask wearer without interfering with the field of vision of the wearer or causing visual glare.

Abstract: A method for controlling the release of an as-rendered configuration of a digital work, comprising the steps of presenting said digital work as a composite of a plurality of layers comprising at least a first layer and a second layer; providing a rendering protocol interface which is adapted for defining said as-rendered configuration of the digital work by specifying a first rendering status of said first layer and a second rendering status of said second layer; providing a rendering protocol facility adapted for storing and controlling the release of said first and second rendering status of said first and second layers respectively in accordance with said as-rendered configuration; restricting unauthorized access to the rendering protocol interface, thereby preventing unauthorized modification of said as-rendered configuration; and releasing said digital work with said as-rendered configuration. The method has application in selling books, movies, software, music and other information products.

Abstract: A method of making a high-temperature and fire-resistant fabric is described in which staple carbon fiber yarns are woven into a unified multi-layer woven fabric. The warp ends and filling picks of the unified multi-layer woven structure are positioned such that they prevent penetration of fire flames, welding sparks and molten metal spatter from penetrating through the unified multi-layer fabric.

Abstract: A method is provided for reinforcing medical balloons in order to withstand high internal pressures without excessive dilation of the reinforced balloon. The method calls for the use of continuous filament high modulus yarns in a braided structure, pressurizing the balloon, inserting the pressurized balloon inside the braided structure, applying axial tension on the braid, thus causing the braided structure to collapse onto and conform to the shape of the pressurized balloon and bonding the reinforcement braid yarns to the exterior surface of the pressurized balloon.