Abstract: The fatigue life of gears, for example, the gears in a sun gear-planetary gear set, is markedly improved by forming the respective gears by ordinary manufacturing practices and then running each new gear against a durable, but expendable, dummy of its counter-gear. The teeth of a dummy sun gear may be suitably hardened and used under suitable loads to minimally reshape the teeth of a plurality of newly-made pinions so that they are smoothed and better fit an intended sun gear. Similarly, the roughened teeth of a hardened or hard coated sun gear can be smoothed by running it for a few rotations against an expendable pinion.

Abstract: An improved nail polish remover bottle having a disposable nail polish remover applicator cap to remove the old nail polish is provided and consists of a body member designed as a dolphin. A cover cap to protect and seal the open end of the nail polish remover bottle and a nail polish remover applicator represent the snout which can be inserted to the body member. The dorsal fin represents a cuticle pusher with a sharp lined edge to push back the cuticles. The pectoral fins comprise a nail file to shape the nail edges and a buffer to smooth the nails. Two caudal fins, one featuring a finger nail cutter and the other a toe nail cutter can be optionally inserted to the tail of the dolphin. In conjunction with the invention a kit is arranged to accommodate all the above in addition to nail polish nail containers.

Abstract: The invention concerns a tampon (3), which can be inserted into the vagina, or other cavity, and which contains a molding cord (1) the pulling of which causes the tampon to increase its diameter and fill the cavity's inside diameter tightly.

Abstract: A protective tag holder for receiving, protecting and retaining a tag in its original condition. The protective tag holder includes a first piece of material having an edge extending therearound, the edge forming a shape substantially matching a shape of the tag to be protected and a second piece of material having an edge extending therearound, the edge forming a shape substantially similar to the shape of the first piece of material. The second piece of material also includes a tab extending from at least a portion of the edge. A seal is formed between at least a portion of the edge of the first piece of material and the edge of the second piece of material forming a pocket therebetween. The seal extends around a portion of the edge of the second piece of material opposite the tab to thereby form an entrance to the pocket, the entrance having a size large enough to insert the tag therethrough.

Abstract: A golf bag assembly adapted to be carried by an operator while operating a two-wheeled vehicle. The golf bag assembly includes a first bag body member forming a first receptacle for receiving golf clubs, and a second bag body member forming a second receptacle for receiving golf clubs. The upper ends of the first and second bag body members are pivotally coupled so that said first and second bag body members can pivot towards and away from each other. A releasable fastener is provided for securing the lower closed ends of the first and second bag body members. The lower ends are detachable in order to permit the first and second body members to pivot away from each other and assume an inverted V-shape so that the bag assembly can be safely transported on a motorcycle.

Abstract: A stabilizer accessory for necklaces to keep the necklace from twisting about the wearer's neck. The stabilizer is an elongate approximately oval-shaped metal loop which is connected as by clasps to the necklace ends, and rests on the nape of the neck of the wearer. The presence of the stabilizer causes the necklace to resist twisting of the necklace, stabilizing the necklace in its proper position.

Abstract: A flexible electrostatographic imaging member having at least a first parallel side and a second parallel side, the imaging member includinga supporting substrate layer,at least one imaging layer on one side of the substrate layer,and an anticurl backing layer on the opposite side of the substrate layer, the anticurl backing layer includinga major central region having a substantially uniform thickness,a first minor edge region along the first parallel side, anda second minor edge region along the second parallel side, the first minor edge region and the second edge region each having a thickness greater than the thickness of the major central region.A process for fabricating the imaging member is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling access to information stored in an information database includes an unbundled port service control point coupled to an unbundled port information database. A signal transfer point routes line information database, calling name information, and other queries from an originating network to the unbundled port service control point. The unbundled port information database stores an unbundled port identifier that includes a dialing number for an unbundled port and a service provider identifier. The unbundled port information database also stores an information service identifier that includes a location for the database storing the service provider's information and access rights to that information for various networks. The unbundled port service control point extracts the originating network identity from the query and determines access rights to the requested information based upon the access rights for the information as stored in the database.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a latch is disclosed that impedes opening the latch by those, regardless of age, who lack the necessary mental acuity. The latch includes a release mechanism that requires two vertical slide members to be displaced in a first direction and held in that displaced position before a horizontal slide member can be displaced in a second direction that is not parallel with the first direction. The horizontal slide member is connected by a cord with a latch portion of the mechanism. When the horizontal slide member is displaced in the second direction, the latch portion is released from engagement and the latch is itself opened.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of preparing thiophene-containing or furan-containing conjugated compounds such as polythiophene. The method uses a precursor compound having tetrahydrothiophene or tetrahydrofuran precursor units having arylthio or alkylthio substituents. The precursor units can be thermally converted into thiophene or furan units. Due to the presence of the precursor units the precursor compound is soluble and can, unlike the corresponding conjugated compound, be processed from solution.

Abstract: A polymeric material comprising at least first and second polymer parts, which first part has a number average molecular weight higher than that of the second part and which first and second polymer parts each comprise a respective polymer part derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, is prepared by a process which comprises the steps of (1) preparing, by aqueous suspension polymerisation the first, higher molecular weight polymer part in the presence of a free radical initiator, but in the absence of a chain transfer agent to form a suspension of the first, higher molecular weight part and thereafter (2) preparing by aqueous suspension polymerisation the second, lower molecular weight part, which preparation step (2) is carried out in the presence of the suspension of the first, higher molecular weight part, a free radical initiator and a catalytic chain transfer agent (CCTA).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a series of novel ether amine compounds prepared by the cyanobutylation reaction of an alcohol having 12 to 26 carbon atoms with 2-pentenenitrile to form a branched alkyl ether nitrile. The etheraminonitriles formed by the process are hydrogenated to form alkylether amines. The resulting product can be reacted with 2-pentenenitrile and hydrogenated to yield a polyamine.

Abstract: A gas sensing device having a semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate is covered by an insulator layer, on which an intermediate layer is formed, and subsequently covered by a gas sensing catalytic layer, wherein the intermediate layer and the catalytic layer are made of different materials. The gas sensing device may optionally have dispersed between the insulator layer and the intermediate layer a catalytic metal layer. The gas sensing device provides improved stability and speed of response, even when used at high ambient temperatures, such as temperatures found in combustion systems. A method for making the gas sensing device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transdermal formulation of dihydropyridine calcium antagonists and specifically nifedipine, nimodipine and nitrendipine. The calcium antagonists are dispersed in a mixed liquid. The mixed liquid comprises varying mole fractions of cis-oleic acid and dimethylisosorbide dispersed in a polypropylene glycol base.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided which control access by a task to an information object in a computer system. The task is authenticated by an authentication procedure to act on behalf of a user. A computer-implemented method includes associating an authentication grade with the authentication procedure, identifying at least one clearance level previously assigned to the user by a clearance administrator, and identifying at least one classification level previously assigned to the information object by a classification administrator. The method then determines the access rights of the task with respect to the information object based at least on the authentication grade, the clearance level, and the classification level. Information about the user's connection to the system may also be considered. The results of the determination are distributed to promote consistent access; rights throughout the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and pharmaceutical preparations that inhibit the growth of bacteria microorganisms. Additionally, the present invention provides methods and pharmaceutical preparations that kill bacterial microorganisms.

Abstract: A device is provided for assisting in the removal of articles from a first conveying system into a container and for reorienting the container for loading onto a second conveying system. The device comprises a base; a platform pivotally connected to the base, and an actuating mechanism configured to operatively pivot the platform. The platform has a panel and a lip operatively configured to cooperatively support and retain the container in a substantially inclined position substantially adjacent to the first conveying system for facilitating loading of articles into the container. The actuating mechanism pivots the platform and thus the container such that the panel assumes a substantially horizontal position for loading the container onto the second conveying system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting tissue abnormality, particularly precancerous cervical tissue, through fluorescence or Raman spectroscopy, or a combination of fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy. In vivo fluorescence measurements were followed by in vitro NIR Raman measurements on human cervical biopsies. Fluorescence spectra collected at 337, 380 and 460 nm excitation were used to develop a diagnostic method to differentiate between normal and dysplastic tissues. Using a fluorescence diagnostic method, a sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 67% were observed for differentiating squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs) from all other tissues. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, using Raman scattering peaks observed at selected wavenumbers, SILs were separated from other tissues with a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 100%. In addition, inflammation and metaplasia samples are correctly separated from the SILs.