Abstract: Motorized door assemblies having a door pivoting about a pivot axis extending across opposing jambs. In one aspect, the assembly includes a motor assembly having a motor, drive gears, slip clutch, and driven shaft connected to the door to pivot it about the pivot axis. The slip clutch includes a clutch plate slideable along the driven shaft, a drive plate driven by the motor via the drive gears, and a clutch spring urging the clutch plate into engagement with the drive plate, where the clutch and drive plates have profiled and counter-profiled faces. In another aspect, a break beam emitter and receiver are mounted to respective ones of the opposing jambs along a beam axis extending parallel to the pivot axis and proximate to an edge of the door opposite the pivot axis. Interruption of a light beam projected therebetween alters operation of a motor assembly.

Abstract: Motorized door assemblies having a door pivoting about a pivot axis extending across opposing jambs. In one aspect, the assembly includes a motor assembly having a motor, drive gears, slip clutch, and driven shaft connected to the door to pivot it about the pivot axis. The slip clutch includes a clutch plate slideable along the driven shaft, a drive plate driven by the motor via the drive gears, and a clutch spring urging the clutch plate into engagement with the drive plate, where the clutch and drive plates have profiled and counter-profiled faces. In another aspect, a break beam emitter and receiver are mounted to respective ones of the opposing jambs along a beam axis extending parallel to the pivot axis and proximate to an edge of the door opposite the pivot axis. Interruption of a light beam projected therebetween alters operation of a motor assembly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus describing a convenience beverage vending machine and its operation are described. An embedded computer interface allows consumers to create their own drinks or choose from a menu of drinks. Drinks are dispensed in a re-usable container. The beverages may be made from hot water, cold water or carbonated water that is mixed with various flavors of syrup, sweeteners and nutritional supplements. Identification may be presented and the computer recognizes the consumer and pulls up that consumer's account to determine funds available and previous drink selections and mixtures. The machine may incorporate an automatic cleaning cycle for both the valves and the dispense area.

Abstract: A method of preparing purified cyclosporin H includes dissolving cyclosporin A in a first organic solvent and heating the first organic solvent in the presence of an acid catalyst; adding a base to the first organic solvent; recrystallizing cyclosporin H in a second solvent; and purifying the recrystallized cyclosporin H via chromatography to obtain purified cyclosporin H, while excluding recrystallizing the cyclosporin H in the presence of ether. In a further aspect, the method includes, after adding the base and before the recrystallizing, mixing the first organic solvent with a solvent more polar than the first organic solvent, separating the first organic solvent, and drying the first organic solvent. Cyclosporin H prepared as described herein was found to be biologically active, unlike that prepared using a previously-described method.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus describing a convenience beverage vending machine and its operation are described. An embedded computer interface allows consumers to create their own drinks or choose from a menu of drinks. Drinks are dispensed in a re-usable container. The beverages may be made from hot water, cold water or carbonated water that is mixed with various flavors of syrup, sweeteners and nutritional supplements. Identification may be presented and the computer recognizes the consumer and pulls up that consumer's account to determine funds available and previous drink selections and mixtures. The machine may incorporate an automatic cleaning cycle for both the valves and the dispense area.

Abstract: The subject invention improves traditional safety equipment intended to protect the lower leg, ankle, foot, and toes applicable in industrial and commercial as well as casual and athletic uses. The personal protective equipment (PPE) of the subject invention comprises a soleplate, a metatarsal component, a toe cap, and a tibia-fibula component; these components can be implemented alone or in combination within a shoe or boot providing for various levels of protection depending on the desired application. Further embodiments provide for both the implementation of the protective components within the footwear as well as components that can be worn in conjunction with pre-existing shoes or boots.

Abstract: A splash and spill resistant insulating lid for beverage containers comprising an insulated splash and spill barrier integrated into a cup lid combination. This is achieved by creating a barrier and/or labyrinth flow path, which buffers and deflects sloshing liquid. Accidental/incidental release of liquid is minimized and/or prevented while allowing the normal flow of liquid for drinking. These features of the SSRIL further create an insulating barrier to keep a cup's fluid hotter or cooler for a longer period of time, enhanced by using an appropriate insulating material combined with finite number of transfer holes that are of a specific shape and/or specific location and/or specific orientation to promote the formation of a surface tension film of fluid across the transfer holes, creating additional barriers against the escape and exchange of both fluid and vapor outside the cup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a carbon nanotube that contains nitrogen based functional groups (such as nitro, nitroso, N-oxide, oxime, hydroxylamine, diazo, azo, and azide) that are covalently attached to lattice carbons of the carbon nanotube, directly or via a chemical linker. The present invention also relates to methods for the preparation of the carbon nanotube from an amino-functionalized carbon nanotube via an amino oxidation reaction. The synthetic methods of the present invention allow the nitrogen based functional groups to be attached selectively to one of two distinct regions of the carbon nanotube, the ends or the sidewall, and thus enable the synthesis of a carbon nanotube having nitrogen based functional groups substantially concentrated on either the ends or the sidewall of the carbon nanotube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the preparation of a carbon nanotube from an amino-functionalized carbon nanotube via an amino oxidation reaction. The carbon nanotube includes nitrogen based functional groups that are covalently attached to lattice carbons of the carbon nanotube, directly or via a chemical linker. The synthetic methods of the present invention allow the nitrogen based functional groups to be attached selectively to one of two distinct regions of the carbon nanotube, and thus enable the synthesis of a carbon nanotube having nitrogen based functional groups substantially concentrated on the ends and/or the sidewall of the carbon nanotube.

Abstract: A splash and spill resistant insulating lid for beverage containers comprising an insulated splash and spill barrier integrated into a cup lid combination. This is achieved by creating a barrier and/or labyrinth flow path, which buffers and deflects sloshing liquid. Accidental/incidental release of liquid is minimized and/or prevented while allowing the normal flow of liquid for drinking. These features of the SSRIL further create an insulating barrier to keep a cup's fluid hotter or cooler for a longer period of time, enhanced by using an appropriate insulating material combined with finite number of transfer holes that are of a specific shape and/or specific location and/or specific orientation to promote the formation of a surface tension film of fluid across the transfer holes, creating additional barriers against the escape and exchange of both fluid and vapor outside the cup.

Abstract: A shroud-adapter for attaching a windshield wiper blade/beam assembly to a windshield wiper arm, comprising either a unitary or two-piece shroud-adapter which is detachably attachable to a connector element by snapping means, the connector element being attached to a wiper blade/beam assembly. The connector is of formed steel with crimp tabs bendable to impinge upon the wiper beam, but can be made from plastics or other suitably-engineered polymers or castings known in the field. The shroud-adapter portion can be molded from plastic or suitably-engineered materials or cast from any one of numerous materials. If a separate adapter portion is used in cooperation with the shroud, it can be molded from a plastic or suitably-engineered material, as well, but also can be cast, machined or formed by other appropriate methods. The shroud-adapter is designed to be compatible with many of the popular side pin, J-hook, and European style wiper arms.

Abstract: The subject invention improves traditional safety equipment intended to protect the lower leg, ankle, foot, and toes applicable in industrial and commercial as well as casual and athletic uses. The personal protective equipment (PPE) of the subject invention comprises a soleplate, a metatarsal component, a toe cap, and a tibia-fibula component; these components can be implemented alone or in combination within a shoe or boot providing for various levels of protection depending on the desired application. Further embodiments provide for both the implementation of the protective components within the footwear as well as components that can be worn in conjunction with pre-existing shoes or boots.

Abstract: A windshield wiper blade assembly is disclosed which comprises a resilient wiper blade having an axial passage through which a flexible support beam is positioned to provide structure. A universal connector element for connecting the blade assembly to a plurality of different wiper arms crimps onto the blade and support beam assembly approximately midway along the wiper blade in a manner which does not puncture nor interfere with the resilient windshield wiper material, while at the same time preventing the relative axial translation of the support beam within the windshield wiper blade as well as translation between the blade and the connector itself.

Abstract: A windshield wiper blade assembly is disclosed which comprises a resilient wiper blade having an axial passage through which a flexible support beam is positioned to provide structure. A universal connector element for connecting the blade assembly to a plurality of different wiper arms crimps onto the blade and support beam assembly approximately midway along the wiper blade in a manner which does not puncture nor interfere with the resilient windshield wiper material, while at the same time preventing the relative axial translation of the support beam within the windshield wiper blade as well as translation between the blade and the connector itself.

Abstract: A resilient windshield wiper assembly is disclosed which comprises a resilient wind-deflector portion molded or extruded to provide a receiving hollow for insertion of a support beam. The resilient wind-deflector portion has a feature strategically positioned and structurally effective to prevent the resilient portion from being rotated or twisted around the support beam. The wind deflector is symmetrical with respect to the axial orientation of the support beam. The symmetry allows conversion of the wind force components from lifting forces to normal forces acting to press and/or hold the wiper against the wiper surface even when subjected to side gusts or reverse head-wind forces. The symmetry further provides a strength member acting directly over the top of the wiping lip surface avoiding introducing a twisting force into the support beam.