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: 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 counter-top toothbrush holder is provided 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: 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 novel temporary posting sticker 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. Alternatively, the novel sticker comprises a weakened fold line (score line) such that when the sticker is folded along the score line the adhesive coating on the first area is substantially covered and adheres to the back side of the posting sticker. Thus, the second area of the sticker may be saved without exhibiting any inconvenient sticking to other surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides different size breathing masks in which single size filtration shells are attached to a single size face contacting member at the same periphery. A single size face contacting member has one, or more than one size, inner breathing opening with a narrower cut profile in the nose area than in the mouth and chin area. Such different size breathing masks would fit and provide an effective seal for more than one size of wearer.

Abstract: A deformable, pad-type filter is provided which does not have a frame but instead uses two filter elements, at least one having a non-planar configuration in a stress-free condition, which are preferably joined along an outer edge to form an inner chamber. A connector is located in and attached to one of the filter elements, the connector having a rigid connector platform which projects radially outward from the connector to enable a user's fingers to grasp the perimeter of the connector platform to twist or otherwise manipulate the filter for connection or disconnection to a respirator facepiece without damage to the filter material.

Abstract: A novel temporary posting sticker 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. Alternatively, the novel sticker comprises a weakened fold line (score line) such that when the sticker is folded along the score line the adhesive coating on the first area is substantially covered and adheres to the back side of the posting sticker. Thus, the second area of the sticker may be saved without exhibiting any inconvenient sticking to other surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides different size breathing masks in which single size filtration shells are attached to single size face contacting members at the same periphery. A single size face contacting member has one, or more than one size, inner breathing opening with a narrower cut profile in the nose area than in the mouth and chin area. Such different size breathing masks would fit and provide effective seal for more than one wearer's size.

Abstract: A braided fiber reinforced thermoplastic member is formed by a device, which comprises a braiding device for weaving thermoplastic coated fibers with second fibers onto a weaving mandrel for form a braided preform, and a heating die for melting the thermoplastic of the coated fibers of the braided preform to form a continuous matrix of thermoplastic between the coated fibers and the second fibers. A method for forming a fiber reinforced thermoplastic member comprises coating carbon fibers with a thermoplastic melt, cooling the thermoplastic coated carbon fibers, braiding the coated carbon fibers onto a weaving mandrel with Kevlar.RTM. bias fibers to form a braided preform, and drawing the braided preform through a heating die.

Abstract: A breathing mask is disclosed which features a soft, flexible face contacting member and an outer shell member fastened thereto to form a mask. The face contacting member is formed in an arctuate shape that provides a cup in which the chin of the mask wearer rests to prevent the mask from slipping under the chin of the wearer, and a peripheral rim over the nose of the wearer that secures the bottom edge of eye glasses or protective eyewear between the rim and the face of the mask wearer. The outer shell member is either an air permeable material for filtering particulates and/or gases from breathed air, or may be a rigid air impervious material through which filter cartridges are mounted to filter breathed air.

Abstract: A waste collection container fitted with an inlet point and an outlet point is used for receiving contaminated carrier air from a medical suction procedure. Heavier solids and liquids are collected within the waste collection container by gravitational precipitation. The carrier air now containing only aerosol contaminants is then bubbled through a disinfecting bath to sterilize the carrier air before it is exhausted into the immediate indoor environment or the outdoor atmosphere. An activated charcoal filter is then used to remove odors from the sterilized carrier air. An input and exit port of the waste collection container are initially sealed and are punctured by manually operated actuator apparatus to permit carrier air to flow through the container and the disinfecting bath. When the waste collection container is full, before removal another actuator is manually operated to discharge the disinfecting bath into the precipitated fluids and solids in the container to thereby sterilize them.

Abstract: A method is described for recovery of Compact Disks and other optical memory storage disks for potential subsequent uses and for recycling purposes. The method comprises the steps of holding the compact disk and application of a scraping action to the coating on the disk surface. An apparatus is also described for holding the disk and scraping the coating on the disk surface.

Abstract: A face mask is disclosed that can be reusable or disposable, and which filters particulate matter and noxious and poisonous gasses from breathed air. The mask has a mask shell that is thermoformed of cross-linked, closed-cell foam sheet that is impermeable to air while having good shape retention and elasticity. The mask shell is perforated with multiple holes in its central area to permit inhaled air to pass through the otherwise impermeable shell. This mask shell is stiff enough to support filter linears made of, for example, an activated charcoal impregnated fibrous sheet that covers the holes and is retained to the inside and/or the outside of the mask shell by a retainer which is easily removed to replace filter liner(s). Alternatively, the filter liner(s) may be bonded to the inside and/or the outside of the mask shell to make a disposable mask. A one-way valve is mounted through the wall of the mask shell to exhasut exhaled air. Alternatively, a retainer is not used.

Abstract: A face mask is disclosed that can be reusable or disposable, and which filters particulate matter and noxious and poisonous gasses from breathed air. The mask has a mask shell that is thermoformed of cross-linked, closed-cell foam sheet that is impermeable to air while having good shape retention and elasticity. The mask shell is perforated with multiple holes in its central area to permit inhaled air to pass through the otherwise impermeable shell. This mask shell is stiff enough to support filter liners made of, for example, an activated charcoal impregnated fibrous sheet that covers the holes and is retained to the inside and/or the outside of the mask shell by a retainer which is easily removed to replace the filter liner(s). Alternatively, the filter liner(s) may be bonded to the inside and/or the outside surface of the foam mask shell to make a disposable mask. A one-way valve is mounted through the wall of the mask shell to exhaust exhaled air.

Abstract: A reusable face mask is disclosed that filters particulate matter and noxious and poisonous gasses from breathed air. The face mask has a mask shell that is thermoformed of cross-linked, closed cell foam sheet that is impermeable to air while having good shape retention and elasticity. The mask shell is perforated with multiple holes in its central area to permit inhaled air to pass through the otherwise impermeable shell. The mask shell is stiff enough to support filter mounting apparatus that has an internal potion and an external portion that both cover the multiple holes. Filters made from filter sheet material and having a self-adhesive strip around their periphery are removably attached to the mounting apparatus to filter breathed air. Neither the mounting apparatus nor the filters ever touch the face of the wearer of the face mask. By using two filters, selective combinations of noxious and poisonous gasses, dusts and mists may be filtered from breathed air.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for fixedly securing a cap and body of a capsule together to thereby render the capsule tamper evident. In one form of the invention, the capsules are conveyed at spaced intervals along a predetermined path of travel through a treatment zone which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the capsule. An elongated bar having a tapered edge and positioned within the treatment zone engages the side of the capsule to produce an indentation in the side of the capsule which increases in depth from the entry and to the exit end of the treatment zone. This indentation around the capsule hermetically seals the cap and body of the capsule together so that the cap and body cannot be separated without destruction of the capsule. In another form of the invention, the bar is increasingly heated along its length so that, in addition to forming an indentation circumferentially around the capsule, simultaneously hermetically seals the capsule cap and body together.

Abstract: A face mask is disclosed that can be reusable or disposable, and which filters particulate matter and/or noxious or poisonous gasses from breathed air. The mask has a shell that is formed of polymeric closed cell foam that is impermeable to air while having good shape retention that enables the edge of the mask shell to conform and seal to the face of a wearer around their nose and mouth. The foam mask shell has one or more holes through the central portion thereof and a filter is mounted to cover said hole(s) to thereby filter all inhaled air passing through said holes. A one-way valve is mounted through the wall of the mask shell to exhaust exhaled air.

Abstract: A method for sealing an assembled gelatine capsule of the type used to contain and dispense medication is disclosed. An assembled capsule the axis of which is oriented perpendicular to the axis of a thin elongated bar is moved along and in contact with a thin edge of the elongated bar. The surface of the assembled capsule, at a point where the cap and body of the capsule overlie each other, is initially in contact with the thin edge of one end of the bar and the capsule is moved along the length of said bar so that the axis of the capsule moves closer to the edge of the bar. The bar is heated so as to be at a first temperature at a first point between its ends that will melt the gelatine, and the remainder of the bar is at a temperature that will heat plasticize the gelatine. As the capsule is moved along the heated bar it is rotated either by friction between the bar and the capsule or by mechanical means.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a face mask formed from a porous sheet made of a plurality of fibers. The mask is formed into a generally cup shape shell that fits over the mouth and nose of the wearer and is held thereto by elastic straps attached to the mask that pass behind the head when the mask is worn. The mask filters breathed air passing through the mask. The border of the mask is more tightly compacted during forming. The mask of the present invention features rearwardly projecting portions located on either side of the nose bridge area of the mask parallel to and close to the border of the mask. The peak of the rearwardly projecting portions extend from the face mask in the direction of the face of the wearer of the mask to conform the portion of the mask close to its border to the contours of the face of the wearer between the bridge of the wearer's nose and the upper areas of their cheekbones.