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: The present invention discloses a seamless pad-type filter which is characterized in that it comprises two co-extensive sides, a top side and a bottom side. The top and bottom sides are made of fluid filtration material. The two sides create an inner chamber therebetween and are surrounded and joined together by a seamless outer perimeter. The seamless outer perimeter providing a seamless folded continuity between the two sides of the pad-type filter in the form of a plurality of fold lines which, as connecting segments beginning and ending at the same point, define the seamless outer perimeter. The top side further comprising a plurality of positive and negative secondary creases formed around a plurality of positive and negative crease lines. The crease lines are inclined to the fold lines and form pleats.

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 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: The present invention discloses a seamless pad-type filter which is characterized in that it comprises two co-extensive sides, a top side and a bottom side. The top and bottom sides are made of fluid filtration material. The two sides create an inner chamber therebetween and are surrounded and joined together by a seamless outer perimeter. The seamless outer perimeter providing a seamless folded continuity between the two sides of the pad-type filter in the form of a plurality of fold lines which, as connecting segments beginning and ending at the same point, define the seamless outer perimeter. The top side further comprising a plurality of positive and negative secondary creases formed around a plurality of positive and negative crease lines. The crease lines are inclined to the fold lines and form pleats.

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 method and an apparatus are described for making porous thermoplastic nibs which are adhesive-free and plasticizer-free. The method comprises the steps of feeding a coherent fibrous structure into a compacting, shaping and bonding die, heating the surface of the fibers uniformly by surrounding them with a hot fluid and causing their surfaces to become tacky and to develop a cohesive bond between the fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel light weight inexpensive full face mask in which the air filtration function is carried out by an air filtration shell which has at least a portion of its surface made of a porous filtration material. The air filtration shell also acts as a breathing chamber. Also disclosed is a lower cost yet an effective method for providing a cooler breathing chamber and minimizing the volume of re-inhaled exhaled-air in any full face mask.

Abstract: In this method, a delamination resistant three dimensional double curvature surface colored composite article is made by providing a membrane with a delamination-resistant coloring coating and applying the membrane to an injection mold having mold halves, a mold parting face, mold cavity edge and a mold cavity therein for the formation of an injection molded article, and injecting molten plastic into the mold cavity in order to form a three dimensional double curvature surface composite article with the membrane bonded to the injected plastic. Alternatively, the membrane is thermoformed.

Abstract: In this method, a fibrous material is embedded between the surfaces of a membrane and a dissimilar coloring material as the mating surfaces of the membrane and the coloring material are cured or cosolidify. This results in an encapsulation bond where fibers embedded in and originating from within the membrane are also embedded in and terminating within the adjacent coloring material. This method also results in delamination-resistant colored laminates comprising dissimilar layers and having a permanent and durable bond between the various layers of the composite.

Abstract: A method is provided for assuring the hygiene of a toothbrush holder to its first user. The method comprises the steps of providing a toothbrush holder having a receptacle, said receptacle having an opening, and providing a hygiene assurance element. The hygiene assurance element is integrally-connected to the receptacle and covers, at least partially, the opening such that the hygiene assurance element interferes with the insertion of or placing a toothbrush into the opening until the hygiene assurance element is irreversibly ruptured or removed in order to allow the toothbrush to be received and held in the receptacle, thereby providing assurance of the hygiene of the toothbrush holder to its first user.

Abstract: A memo pad comprising a plurality of postable stickers assembled in a multi-layer stack form, each of which comprises a first area coated with a non-destructive adhesive coating and a second area substantially free from such non-destructive adhesive coating and a weakened tear line that substantially separates the first area from the second area. By tearing the sticker along the weakened tear line, the second area of the sticker, which may contain written or printed information, may be saved as an ordinary adhesive-free memo note thereby overcoming the nuisance inconvenient sticking to other surfaces exhibited by prior art temporary posting stickers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a seamless pad-type filter which is characterized in that it comprises two co-extensive sides, a top side and a bottom side. The top and bottom sides are made of fluid filtration material. The two sides create an inner chamber therebetween and are surrounded and joined together by a seamless outer perimeter. The seamless outer perimeter providing a seamless folded continuity between the two sides of the pad-type filter in the form of a plurality of fold lines which, as connecting segments beginning and ending at the same point, define the seamless outer perimeter. The top side further comprising a plurality of positive and negative secondary creases formed around a plurality of positive and negative crease lines. The crease lines are inclined to the fold lines and form pleats.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a novel monolithic construction food container which can be heated in a microwave oven without distortion of its shape, without interfering with or overloading the microwave energy beam or the microwave radiant energy generation unit and without leakage even when the contained food reaches a boiling point. The food container comprises an impermeable cavity defined by a continuous seamless wall with a periphery, having no folded gussets and preferably polygonal in shape and a set of at least two flaps which are joined, preferably integrally and seamlessly, to the top peripheral portion of the cavity. The container is made of a thermoplastic polymeric material having a glass transition temperature of at least −(negative) 20 degrees Celsius and/or a Heat Distortion Temperature. , measured under a stress of 264 psi, in accordance with ASTM Standard Method No. D648, of at least 48 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: A counter-top toothbrush holder for holding a toothbrush in a stable equilibrium position. The holder comprises a base and an elevator section which is connected to the base and extends upwardly from the base. The elevator section has a receptacle member which has at least one open-type receptacle. The receptacle is adapted to receive and hold a toothbrush in a stable equilibrium position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a seamless pad-type filter which is characterized in that it comprises two co-extensive sides, a top side and a bottom side. The top and bottom sides are made of fluid filtration material. The two sides create an inner chamber therebetween and are surrounded and joined together by a seamless outer perimeter. The seamless outer perimeter providing a seamless folded continuity between the two sides of the pad-type filter in the form of a plurality of fold lines which, as connecting segments beginning and ending at the same point, define the seamless outer perimeter. The top side further comprising a plurality of positive and negative secondary creases formed around a plurality of positive and negative crease lines. The crease lines are inclined to the fold lines and form pleats.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described for making porous thermoplastic articles which are adhesive-free and plasticizer-free. The method comprises the steps of feeding a coherent fibrous structure into a compacting, shaping and bonding die, heating the surface of the fibers uniformly by surrounding them with a hot fluid and causing their surfaces to become tacky and to develop a cohesive bond between the fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel light weight inexpensive full face mask in which the air filtration function is carried out by an air filtration shell which has at least a portion of its surface made of a porous filtration material. The air filtration shell also acts as a breathing chamber. Also disclosed is a lower cost yet an effective method for providing a cooler breathing chamber and minimizing the volume of re-inhaled exhaled-air in any full face mask.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a seamless pad-type filter which is characterized in that it comprises two co-extensive sides, a top side and a bottom side. The top and bottom sides are made of fluid filtration material. The two sides create an inner chamber therebetween and are surrounded and joined together by a seamless outer perimeter. The seamless outer perimeter providing a seamless folded continuity between the two sides of the pad-type filter in the form of a plurality of fold lines which, as connecting segments beginning and ending at the same point, define the seamless outer perimeter. The top side further comprising a plurality of positive and negative secondary creases formed around a plurality of positive and negative crease lines. The crease lines are inclined to the fold lines and form pleats.