Abstract: A one-way valve includes an upstream portion, a movable element, a downstream portion, a bias and flow paths. The upstream portion includes an inlet and a first engaging portion about the inlet. The movable element includes a second engaging portion (engageable with the first engaging portion to impede reverse flow), openings and first bias-contacting portions. The downstream portion includes an outlet and second bias-contacting portions. The bias acts between the first bias-contacting portions and the second bias-contacting portions to urge the movable element against the valve seat and surrounds an interior open to the outlet. The flow paths are via the openings and from outside of the first engaging portion and to the interior, and passing inboard of an upstream end of the bias.

Abstract: The present invention provides pyridine and pyrazine derivatives which restore or enhance the function of mutant and/or wild type CFTR to treat cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, respiratory tract infections, lung carcinoma, xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis sire, or constipation (IBS, IBD, opioid induced). Pharmaceutical compositions comprising such derivatives are also encompassed.

Abstract: A wearable protection device for providing a barrier against pests, insects, and other debris around the handle of a residential or commercial trash can is disclosed. The device includes a sleeve body, the sleeve body having a first end including a mouth and a second end including a pair of mitten appendages; a mechanical closure for closing the mouth; and a peelable semi-permanent adhesive tape positioned at the base of the pair of mitten appendages.

Abstract: A pest control device for providing a barrier against pests and insects around the handle of a residential trash can is disclosed. The device includes a generally rectangular shaped, flexible body, the body having a first set of opposing ends and a second set of opposing ends, wherein each set of opposing ends are generally perpendicular between each other; a pair of elastic bands coupled to the first set of opposing ends; a pair of peel-off adhesive tape coupled to the second set of opposing ends; and a pair of tethers, each tether connecting the first set of opposing ends.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of managing operation of a point-of-use fluid treatment arrangement for providing treated fluid to at least one end user. The point-of-use fluid treatment arrangement comprises a fluid supply source provided by an operator, at least one fluid outlet for providing fluid to an end user, in which the at least one fluid outlet is in fluid communication with and spaced downstream from a point of supply of the fluid supply source, at least one point-of-use or point-of-entry fluid treatment device located at or adjacent a corresponding fluid outlet, and at least one communication unit.

Abstract: A novel umbrella is disclosed with a simplified structure that creates a clean, elegant profile with reduced component count and increased wind resistance. The umbrella includes a support post, a housing supported thereby, spokes pivotally disposed about the housing, a canopy, and an actuator. The housing has a top hub and a bottom hub. The actuator slides the hubs together to pivot the spokes away from the housing, whereby the umbrella moves from a closed position to an open position. Rollers are preferably retained within the top hub, and each spoke preferably has a spoke cam attached to one end. The spokes pivot away from the housing by having a roller surface of each spoke cam slide along each respective roller. The actuator may have a crank operated worm drive mechanism to raise and lower the canopy.

Abstract: A device is provided which assists the positioning of wall mounted articles in their preferred orientation and stabilizing them to prevent them moving. The device comprises female and male components, each of which include mating features and magnetic elements that facilitate aligning, mating and attracting the female and male components together when the device is assembled. In a method of using the device to position and stabilize an article, such as a framed picture, on a generally vertically oriented structure, such as a wall, each of the female and male components is affixed to a respective one of the back of the article and the wall such that their mating features are exposed and align and mate with one another, and the magnetic elements attract one another, thereby holding the components together, as well as holding the article to the generally vertically oriented structure in a preferred orientation.

Abstract: A novel umbrella is disclosed with a simplified structure that creates a clean, elegant profile with reduced component count and increased wind resistance. The umbrella includes a support post, a housing supported thereby, spokes pivotally disposed about the housing, a canopy, and an actuator. The housing has a top hub and a bottom hub. The actuator slides the hubs together to pivot the spokes away from the housing, whereby the umbrella moves from a closed position to an open position. Rollers are preferably retained within the top hub, and each spoke preferably has a spoke cam attached to one end. The spokes pivot away from the housing by having a roller surface of each spoke cam slide along each respective roller. The actuator may have a crank operated worm drive mechanism to raise and lower the canopy.

Abstract: A novel umbrella is disclosed with a simplified structure that creates a clean, elegant profile. The umbrella includes a support post having a hole, and a top housing and an opposing bottom housing supported by the post. The bottom housing has a bottom hub, a top cap disposed about the bottom hub, and an opposing bottom cap disposed about the bottom hub opposite the top cap. The bottom cap has a lever lock receptacle. Spokes are pivotally disposed about the top housing, and a canopy is disposed about the spokes. Struts are pivotally disposed about the bottom housing. A lever lock is retained by the lever lock receptacle, wherein the lever lock has a pin adapted to fit within the hole of the post for retaining the canopy in an open position.

Abstract: The present invention provides pyridine and pyrazine derivatives which restore or enhance the function of mutant and/or wild type CFTR to treat cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dyskinesia, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, respiratory tract infections, lung carcinoma, xerostomia and keratoconjunctivitis sire, or constipation (IBS, IBD, opioid induced). Pharmaceutical compositions comprising such derivatives are also encompassed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of managing operation of a point-of-use fluid treatment arrangement for providing treated fluid to at least one end user. The point-of-use fluid treatment arrangement comprises a fluid supply source provided by an operator, at least one fluid outlet for providing fluid to an end user, in which the at least one fluid outlet is in fluid communication with and spaced downstream from a point of supply of the fluid supply source, at least one point-of-use or point-of-entry fluid treatment device located at or adjacent a corresponding fluid outlet, and at least one communication unit.

Abstract: A novel umbrella includes a support post, a housing supported thereby, spokes pivotally disposed about the housing, a canopy, and an actuator. The housing has a top hub and a bottom hub. The actuator slides the hubs together to pivot the spokes away from the housing, whereby the umbrella moves from a closed position to an open position. Rollers are retained within the top hub, and each spoke has a spoke cam attached to one end. The spokes pivot away from the housing by having a roller surface of each spoke cam slide along each respective roller. The actuator may include a beam pivotally disposed about the support post, a strut pivotally disposed about the support post and coupled to the beam, a car slide slideably disposed within the beam, and a cable coupled to the strut and the housing.

Abstract: A novel umbrella is disclosed with a simplified structure that creates a clean, elegant profile. The umbrella includes a support post, a top housing supported by the post, and a bottom housing supported by the post. Spokes are pivotally disposed about the top housing. Struts are pivotally disposed about the bottom housing, wherein each strut is pivotally connected to a respective spoke. A canopy is disposed about the plurality of spokes. A first and second set of rollers may be retained with the top housing. A third set of rollers may be retained within the bottom housing. A rope raises and lowers the canopy. A lever lock is disposed about the bottom housing to retain the rope when the umbrella is in an open position. The umbrella also has a rope storage slot within the support post for retaining any excess rope.

Abstract: A novel sling assembly and corresponding method of stretching sling fabric are disclosed. The assembly preferably comprises a chassis with opposing rails connected by a cross bar. A sling frame having opposing stretch bars connected by a stretchable fabric is disposed over the chassis in a pre-assembled position. A cam lock is inserted into a key hole cut into at least one of the rails; the cam lock is then rotated away from the central axis of the key hole. An engagement member extending from at least one of the stretch bars is then inserted into the key hole. The sling fabric may now be stretched by rotating the cam lock toward the central axis of the key hole to move the engagement member along the key hole until the fabric is taut. The taut fabric is held in place by the engaged cam lock, whereby the assembly is kept in its stretched, fully assembled position. The invention's unique structure thus advantageously makes sling fabric replacement convenient, quick, and without the need for special tools.