Abstract: A beverage container includes a body member and a lid that fits thereon in only a single orientation. One way this is accomplished is by using a lid that has an asymmetric perimeter profile such as a reniform. Another way is by using a projection on the body member that uniquely mates with a receiving area on the lid. A first orientation indicator, such as a groove, may be disposed on the body member to indicate the orientation of the container to the user's hand. A second orientation indicator may be disposed on the lid to help guide a user's lips to a drinking aperture and/or assist in preventing spillage.

Abstract: A light detection system is provided including a switching circuit connected to an inductor shunted across a photoelectric cell and operative to switch between a light detection state and a charge storage state, wherein the light detection state causes a majority of current flowing through the inductor to bypass the charge storage circuit, and wherein the charge storage state causes a majority of current flowing through the inductor to pass through the charge storage circuit. In one embodiment of the present invention, the switching circuit is changed to the light detection state during a first period of time during which the laser beam is in the vicinity of the photoelectric cell and to the charge storage state during a second period of time during which the laser beam is remote from the photoelectric cell.

Abstract: A pliers comprises a pair of elongated members having jaw portions, handle portions, and neck portions therebetween with the neck portions overlying each other and the jaw portions thereof having opposed clamping faces. One of the elongated members has a slot in its neck portion angled toward the handle portion from an imaginary line extending between the clamping faces, and a boss on the rear surface of its neck portion adjacent the imaginary line which abuts a shoulder on the rear surface of the neck portion of the other elongated member. The elongated members of the pliers may be fabricated as laminates of sheet metal elements. The boss/shoulder abutment provides a first pivot, and a pivot pin is movable from the end of the slot adjacent the imaginary line during opening of the jaws to abut the other end of the slot to provide a second pivot.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a velocity spectrogram is described. The apparatus includes a transducer which is positionable within a vessel. The transducer receives a time-varying Doppler signal which contains information related to fluid velocity values within the vessel. A Fourier transformation device processes the time-varying Doppler signal to generate a sequence of spectra. Each spectrum corresponds to a segment of the time-varying Doppler signal and defines a set of velocities and their corresponding spectral values. A device is used to identify the instantaneous spectral peak velocity within each spectra. The peak velocity corresponds to the highest velocity within a spectra which has a spectral value above a defined threshold value which is related to the background noise level. The sequence of spectral peak velocities is plotted on a visual interface device to form an instantaneous spectral peak velocity waveform.

Abstract: A retaining clip for positioning and holding a member which has been inserted through an opening in a plate or partition is provided. The clip has a U-shaped structure and is fabricated of a springy sheet material. Oppositely disposed first and second legs each have a central slot to thereby define four arms. Two of the arms, which are diametrically opposed, are used to flex laterally to permit insertion of a member therebetween upon insertion of the member into an opening defined by registering portions of the slots.

Abstract: A combination tool carrier and support stand adapted for use by tradesmen such as carpenters, and electricians and the like. The device includes a rigid, generally rectangular base including a plurality of downwardly projecting, spaced-apart feet adapted to be disposed upon a solid supporting surface, a generally rectangular top secured above the base by a tapered frame, and a pair of side doors hingeably coupled to the frame. An internal partition separates the carrier into two separate storage regions, and bolt regions are provided with a plurality of individual compartments for receiving and temporarily housing various hand tools and accessories. Preferably the inner surface of each door includes additional tool storage compartments. A non-slip surface secured to the top facilitates safe use of the carrier as a stand.