Abstract: A method of covering an opening in a laboratory container with aluminum foil to provide a heat-resistant and solvent-resistant closure. The method includes the steps of: providing a preformed aluminum foil cup of sufficient size to cover the container's opening, in which the foil is less than 2.5 mils thick and is free of any substance that could contaminate the laboratory container, in which the cup includes a bottom wall and a raised perimeter sidewall continuous with, and surrounding the bottom wall; inverting and placing the cup over the opening; optionally adjusting the shape and diameter of the cup so as to fit over the opening, and compressing the sidewall of the cup to a friction fit around the opening.

Abstract: A composition with improved chemical stability and increased the efficacy as an alkylene carbonate-containing nail polish remover or general purpose solvent, such as a paint thinner or stripper is disclosed. The composition includes: (i) between 10% and 98% by weight of at least one alkylene carbonate solvent, (ii) between 1.5% and 25% by weight water, and (iii) an effective amount of a pH-buffering agent that maintains the pH of the composition between approximately pH 2 and pH 6.5 and that is chemically inert in the composition. The water in the composition functions to increase the rate at which the composition dissolves, e.g., nail lacquers, and the pH-buffering agent functions to stabilize the alkylene carbonate solvent against hydrolytic decomposition from pH-altering contaminants that may be introduced into the composition.

Abstract: A sand sculpting composition including approximately 100 parts by dry weight of sand, between 0.1 part and 5 parts by dry weight of at least one non-toxic cold water-soluble adhesive agent selected from the group consisting of pre-gelatinized starches, chemically modified starches and chemically modified celluloses, and between 6 and 25 parts by weight water. The adhesive agent has been combined with the sand and an amount of water sufficient to both dissolve the adhesive agent and allow the adhesive agent to coat the particles of sand. A coloring agent may be added to the adhesive agent.

Abstract: A laboratory autography marking pen capable of delivering a low viscosity phosphorescent marking ink that contains a homogeneous suspension of phosphor particles having an average particle size of between 10 and 40 microns, and whose afterglow half-life is less than 5 minutes. The marking pen further includes a high porosity fiber channel writing nib whose ink flow channels are of a sufficient size to allow the phosphor particles suspended in the ink to flow by capillary transport through these channels onto an ink receiving substrate material.

Abstract: A hand-held nail polish removing device that includes a vessel in which a liquid solvent for removing nail polish is stored, in which the vessel includes an opening through which the solvent is added to the device, an applicator element that is chemically resistant and permeable to the solvent, and that is secured within or over the opening in the vessel, in which the largest exposed portion of the applicator element is configured and arranged so that the device can be operated with its major longitudinal axis essentially perpendicular to the surface of a nail while the nail polish is being removed, and a valve assembly that includes a liquid flow valve that can be opened or closed by increasing or decreasing the manual pressure on the solvent applicator element, in which the flow valve is configured and arranged beneath the solvent applicator element.

Abstract: A marker pen supporting and holding device includes a cavity for capturing a marker pen cap therein consisting of principal and auxiliary cavity portions. The principal cavity portion is provided for receiving a protective cap body and the auxiliary cavity portion is provided for guiding and captivating a marker cap pocket attachment clip. A securing pin extends through aligned device body apertures to traverse a gap between the cap body and the pocket attachment clip, thereby removably securing the cap within the device to enable one-handed marker pen handling.

Abstract: A prepared food product for ingestion by mammals is described and methods for preparing such products. The food product includes an oxidation-resistant fat-based composition substantially free of exogenous solubilizing and dispersing agents for phytosterols. The fat-based composition includes between 75% and 98% by weight of at least one triglyceride-based edible oil or fat, and between 2% and 25% by weight of non-esterified phytosterols. Typically, approximately 1.5% by weight of phytosterols remain soluble at room temperature, and between 0.5% and 23.5% by weight are converted to triglyceride-recrystallized phytosterols (TRPs). The fat-based composition which has been partially oxidized in the prepared food by exposure to air (and typically heat), contains a reduced amount of oxidative by-products compared to a similar fat-based composition lacking these non-esterified phytosterols.

Abstract: A combustible fire-starting or heat-providing assembly is described that includes a suitable quantity of combustible alcohol-based fuel liquid held within a freestanding, combustible, alcohol-resistant and alcohol-impermeable container. The container is configured with at least a bottom wall and a perimeter sidewall that is continuous with the bottom wall, in which the upper portion of the container is substantially open to the air to allow free-burning of the fuel liquid. The container is of a suitable composition and the sidewall is of an adequate thickness and rigidity for the container to retain the fuel liquid without leakage throughout the period of combustion of the fuel, even as the sidewall gradually diminishes in height as it melts and burns downward toward the bottom wall of the container.

Abstract: A liquid storage container that includes a body, a neck, and a neck opening in which the center axis of the neck may be oriented at a substantially vertical angle. The container includes a bottom wall that supports the container in a first substantially horizontal position and a front wall that adjoins the bottom wall and slopes upward at an obtuse angle from this bottom wall. This obtuse angle allows complementary angular rotation, i.e., tilting, of the front wall of the container beyond the obtuse angle, to a second substantially horizontal position in which the front wall supports the container. This rotation results in the center axis of the neck tilting from a substantially vertical angle to an oblique angle to provide variable angles of access to liquids stored therein using liquid transfer devices.

Abstract: A liquid storage container that includes a body, a neck, and a neck opening in which the center axis of the neck may be oriented at a substantially vertical angle. The container includes a bottom wall that supports the container in a first substantially horizontal position and a front wall that adjoins the bottom wall and slopes upward at an obtuse angle from this bottom wall. This obtuse angle allows complementary angular rotation, i.e., tilting, of the front wall of the container beyond the obtuse angle, to a second substantially horizontal position in which the front wall supports the container. This rotation results in the center axis of the neck tilting from a substantially vertical angle to an oblique angle to provide variable angles of access to liquids stored therein using liquid transfer devices.

Abstract: A laboratory autography marking pen capable of delivering a low viscosity phosphorescent marking ink that contains a homogeneous suspension of phosphor particles having an average particle size of between 10 and 40 microns, and whose afterglow half-life is less than 5 minutes. The marking pen further includes a high porosity fiber channel writing nib whose ink flow channels are of a sufficient size to allow the phosphor particles suspended in the ink to flow by capillary transport through these channels onto an ink receiving substrate material.

Abstract: A marker pen supporting and holding device includes a cavity for capturing a marker pen cap therein consisting of principal and auxiliary cavity portions. The principal cavity portion is provided for receiving a protective cap body and the auxiliary cavity portion is provided for guiding and captivating a marker cap pocket attachment clip. A securing pin extends through aligned device body apertures to traverse a gap between the cap body and the pocket attachment clip, thereby removably securing the cap within the device to enable one-handed marker pen handling.

Abstract: A solid nutrient medium that is selective for culturing and detecting B. anthracis bacteria and spores is described herein. This culturing and detection is based upon formation of B. anthracis colonies on the nutrient medium after incubation at room temperature or at elevated temperature. The medium of various embodiments includes a rich nutrient medium capable of supporting the growth of B. anthracis and the following constituents: a nutrient medium gelling agent, an anti-fungal agent for suppressing the growth of mold, a thallous salt, an EDTA salt, lysozyme, and a gram negative antibacterial agent including a cephalosporin compound, all at concentrations insufficient to inhibit the growth of B. anthracis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fragranced wax candle and fragranced wax composition comprising paraffin wax, a fragrance containing an antioxidant, with or without vegetable wax and/or beeswax, saturated fatty acid, hindered amine, and an additive. Also disclosed is a method for incorporating an antioxidant into the fragranced candle wax composition.

Abstract: A sand sculpting composition including approximately 100 parts by dry weight of sand, between 0.1 part and 5 parts by dry weight of at least one non-toxic cold water-soluble adhesive agent selected from the group consisting of pre-gelatinized starches, chemically modified starches and chemically modified celluloses, and between 6 and 25 parts by weight water. The adhesive agent has been combined with the sand and an amount of water sufficient to both dissolve the adhesive agent and allow the adhesive agent to coat the particles of sand. A coloring agent may be added to the adhesive agent.

Abstract: A prepared food product for ingestion by mammals is described and methods for preparing such products. The food product includes an oxidation-resistant fat-based composition substantially free of exogenous solubilizing and dispersing agents for phytosterols. The fat-based composition includes between 75% and 98% by weight of at least one triglyceride-based edible oil or fat, and between 2% and 25% by weight of non-esterified phytosterols. Typically, approximately 1.5% by weight of phytosterols remain soluble at room temperature, and between 0.5% and 23.5% by weight are converted to triglyceride-recrystallized phytosterols (TRPs). The fat-based composition which has been partially oxidized in the prepared food by exposure to air (and typically heat), contains a reduced amount of oxidative by-products compared to a similar fat-based composition lacking these non-esterified phytosterols.

Abstract: A method of increasing the HDL concentration and the HDL/LDL concentration ratio in human serum by providing a balance between a sufficient and required proportion of cholesterol-free saturated fatty acids in the daily dietary fat of the human and a sufficient and required, but not excessive, proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids comprising linoleic acid in dietary fat, while the remaining proportion of fatty acids and energy from the dietary fat is provided by monounsaturated fatty acids comprising oleic acid. Also described are compositions, including fat compositions and filled dairy products, containing such balanced fatty acid proportions.

Abstract: A method of increasing the HDL concentration and the HDL/LDL concentration ratio in human serum by providing a balance between a sufficient and required proportion of cholesterol-free saturated fatty acids in the daily dietary fat of the human and a sufficient and required, but not excessive, proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids comprising linoleic acid in dietary fat, while the remaining proportion of fatty acids and energy from the dietary fat is provided by monounsaturated fatty acids comprising oleic acid. Also described are compositions, including fat compositions and filled dairy products, containing such balanced fatty acid proportions.

Abstract: A prepared food product for ingestion by mammals is described and methods for preparing such products. The food product includes an oxidation-resistant fat-based composition substantially free of exogenous solubilizing and dispersing agents for phytosterols. The fat-based composition includes between 75% and 98% by weight of at least one triglyceride-based edible oil or fat, and between 2% and 25% by weight of non-esterified phytosterols. Typically, approximately 1.5% by weight of phytosterols remain soluble at room temperature, and between 0.5% and 23.5% by weight are converted to triglyceride-recrystallized phytosterols (TRPs). The fat-based composition which has been partially oxidized in the prepared food by exposure to air (and typically heat), contains a reduced amount of oxidative by-products compared to a similar fat-based composition lacking these non-esterified phytosterols.

Abstract: A combustible fire-starting or heat-providing assembly is described that includes a suitable quantity of combustible alcohol-based fuel liquid held within a freestanding, combustible, alcohol-resistant and alcohol-impermeable container. The container is configured with at least a bottom wall and a perimeter sidewall that is continuous with the bottom wall, in which the upper portion of the container is substantially open to the air to allow free-burning of the fuel liquid. The container is of a suitable composition and the sidewall is of an adequate thickness and rigidity for the container to retain the fuel liquid without leakage throughout the period of combustion of the fuel, even as the sidewall gradually diminishes in height as it melts and burns downward toward the bottom wall of the container.