Abstract: This invention relates to expiration date systems in general, and particularly to a new expiration date system (14) which employs a time release mechanism to overcome the problems inherent in expiration date systems used today.

Abstract: A tooth polisher includes an elastic finger shaped finger cloth having two opposing sides for fitting tightly over a finger. A rough cloth is disposed on a first of said opposing sides polishes the teeth. A chamois cloth on the other of said opposing sides is soft and is used to buff the teeth after polishing with the rough cloth. A finger pull tab connects to said finger cloth between said rough cloth and said chamois cloth and allow the tooth polisher to be rotated to orient the rough cloth and chamois cloth.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an isolated membrane protein or polypeptide encoded by chromosomal DNA of Borrelia burgdorferi (e.g., BmpC). This protein is encoded by a DNA molecule (e.g., bmpC) and is useful in vaccines to prevent infection by Borrelia burgdorferi, while antibodies raised against this protein can be employed in passively immunizing those already infected by the organism. Both these proteins and antibodies may be utilized in diagnostic assays to detect Borrelia burgdorferi and immune response in tissue or body fluids. Likewise, the DNA molecule can be used for detection of this organism.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for prompt recipient notification of the active greeting on a voice message system, with the notification provided on initial recipient access of the voice message system, typically at the same time as the recipient is informed of new voice messages. Notification of the active greeting on initial access provides the recipient the opportunity to modify an outdated greeting thereby providing more current information. The invention also provides a method and system for automatically restoring the primary greeting at a predetermined date without the necessity of the recipient accessing the voice message administration area on that predetermined date.

Abstract: In a method of leaving a message for a calling party in an automatic long-distance re-dialing service where a called party returns a call from the calling party but the calling party does not answer the called party's return call, the method comprises the steps of providing the called party an option of returning the call from the calling party, for example, at the expense of the calling party and prompting the called party to leave a message for the calling party if the calling party does not answer the called party's return call. The apparatus comprises a controller for controlling operation of an announcement(message delivery capability, a dialer, a voice detector/coder and a memory for storing the message from the called party to be delivered to the calling party.

Abstract: A method for completing a telephone call originating from a calling party to a called party. The method determines the time zone at a first cell location associated with the originating calling party. It also determines the time zone at a second location associated with the called party. A comparison is made between the time zone associated with the calling party with the time zone associated with the called party. An announcement associated with the time of day is made to the calling party if the time zone associated with the calling party is not the same as the time zone associated with the called party. The system provides the calling party with a menu of options for completing a telephone call to the called party when the calling party receives either a busy signal, a ring no answer response, a message that said called party's telephone has been changed or a message that said called party's telephone is out of service.

Abstract: A method of initiating telephone calls for a calling party to called parties based on past calling patterns is characterized by the steps of monitoring telephone calls made over a period of time; identifying calling patterns based on the telephone calls; and placing a telephone call based on the calling patterns. The method thus learns and anticipates telephone calls based on monitoring the calling party's calling patterns over a given time period.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for making loop chenille type yarns and yarns produced thereby are disclosed. An elongated spindle having a tapered needle surface at one end thereof is provided. The spindle has a passage therein in communication with the needle surface for feeding a core thread to the needle surface. Effect thread is overfed to the needle location where a nose piece member cooperating with the needle aids in wrapping the effect thread about the needle to form loops. The binder yarn is fed to the needle and twisted about the core and effect threads. In a preferred embodiment, means are provided for reciprocating the nose piece relative to the needle between effect thread loop forming and effect thread non-loop forming dispositions. In this manner, "thick" and "thin" novelty yarns are provided in which the thick sections of the yarn comprise looped effect threads whereas the loops are not provided in the thin yarn sections.

Abstract: A core yarn has a plurality of wrapper yarns wrapped under tension in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The core is composed of staple fibers having substantially no twist so that the core has substantially zero tensile strength. The tensions on the wrapper yarns are balanced by each other and are so high as to compress the core and impart to the core a sinuous configuration along its length.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for making loop chenille type yarns and yarns produced thereby are disclosed. An elongated spindle having a tapered needle surface at one end thereof is provided. The spindle has a passage therein in communication with the needle surface for feeding a core thread to the needle surface. Effect thread is overfed to the needle location where a nose piece member cooperating with the needle aids in wrapping the effect thread about the needle to form loops. The binder yarn is fed to the needle and twisted about the core and effect threads. In a preferred embodiment, means are provided for reciprocating the nose piece relative to the needle between effect thread loop forming and effect thread non-loop forming dispositions. In this manner, "thick" and "thin" novelty yarns are provided in which the thick sections of the yarn comprise looped effect threads whereas the loops are not provided in the thin yarn sections.

Abstract: While being fed into a laterally confining region to be retained temporarily and be compressively crimped therein, laterally spaced textile strands are traversed laterally to and fro along the entrance to the region. The resulting uneven cross-sectional distribution of crimped strand accumulation in the region is conductive to separation of individual strands upon exiting from the region.