Abstract: This invention provides materials and procedures for the delivery of selected strains of bacteria and/or oxalate-degrading enzymes to the intestinal tracts of persons and/or domestic or zoological animals who are at increased risk for oxalate related disease because they have lost, or have inadequate concentrations of these bacteria. The administration of these bacteria and/or the relevant enzyme removes oxalate from the intestinal tract and thus reduces the amount of oxalate available for absorption and reduces the risk for oxalate related disease.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided forming a sound attenuating laminate that has a decoupler fiber layer and a mass layer in opposing relationship with each other. The decoupler fiber layer and mass layer of the laminate are heated to the selected temperature in substantially the same amount of time via a hot air source and a heated platen, respectively. The heated laminate is conveyed to a mold and formed into a predetermined three-dimensional configuration via the mold.

Abstract: A water-based, erasable marking composition comprising 1-86% by weight water, 0.3-38% by weight pigment, 13-45% by weight polyurethane, and 0-85% by weight glycerin, wherein said polyurethane has a viscosity which increases by at least a factor of 10 when said polyurethane is dried from a 30% dispersion of said polyurethane in water to a 65% polyurethane dispersion in water. The present invention also includes an application instrument comprising an outer body having a first end, an applicator at the first end of the outer body, a reservoir included within the outer body and in fluid communication with the applicator, and a water-based, erasable marking composition within the reservoir. The water-based, erasable marking composition comprises the composition of the invention.

Abstract: This invention provides materials and procedures for the delivery of selected strains of bacteria and/or oxalate-degrading enzymes to the intestinal tracts of persons and/or domestic or zoological animals who are at increased risk for oxalate related disease because they have lost, or have inadequate concentrations of these bacteria. The administration of these bacteria and/or the relevant enzyme removes oxalate from the intestinal tract and thus reduces the amount of oxalate available for absorption and reduces the risk for oxalate related disease.

Abstract: The present invention involves a ministry and religious institution insurance transaction system and method which allows for quoting, rate determination, policy creation and saving quote and policy application information through a web based interface linking a remote insurance agent or potential customer to an insurance company office. The business method of this invention provides for the sign on and authentication of a remote agent or potential customer who is then allowed to request, gather and submit information for quoting an insurance policy. A copy of the quote information is transferred to the insurance company office system where the quote information is supplemented with rate data. The completed quote is then available for display and editing. The rated quote can be used as a basis for generating a proposal referencing coverage descriptions for the client and as the basis for preparation of a policy application.

Abstract: A printer having a housing, including a bottom wall, a front wall, and a cover pivotally attached to the housing and rotatable between an open and a closed position. A tray is provided for supporting print media from below wherein the tray is pivotally attached to the housing for movement between a printer operational position and a printer non-operational position, wherein the tray is disposed between the cover and the front wall when the tray is in the printer non-operational position.

Abstract: Sound attenuating composite articles and methods of making same are provided. Sound attenuating composite article include first, second and/or third and/or fourth layers of material. The first layer of material may be either an acoustic fiber batting and/or an acoustic foam material and may be an elastic or inelastic material. The second layer of material is a thermoplastic material that is fused to a surface of the first layer of material. The third layer of material is a thermoplastic material that is fused to a surface of the second layer of material. The fourth layer of material is a woven or non-woven mixture of fibers, such as scrim material, that is attached to a surface of the third layer of material. Selected portions of the sound attenuating composite article are heated and then compressed (referred to as “tuned”) so as to have an acoustic impedance that is greater than an acoustic impedance of adjacent portions.

Abstract: A printer having a housing, including a bottom wall, a front wall, and a cover pivotally attached to the housing and rotatable between an open and a closed position. A tray is provided for supporting print media from below wherein the tray is pivotally attached to the housing for movement between a printer operational position and a printer non-operational position, wherein the tray is disposed between the cover and the front wall when the tray is in the printer non-operational position.

Abstract: An implementation of a printer ink delivery system and method for increasing the efficiency of space utilization within a printer includes at least one available-space-conforming internal ink tank adapted to fit within difficult to access areas within a printer's enclosure. A fill port allows the temporary attachment of an externally located, ergonomically shaped ink refill canister. By utilizing space which otherwise might go unused for placement of the internal ink tank, a smaller printer enclosure may be designed. By providing a fill port adapted for attachment of ergonomic ink refill canister, the user is easily able to refill the internal ink tank.

Abstract: Porous carpeting for use within vehicles, and methods of making same, are provided. A carpet backing is heated to achieve a fluid or semi-fluid state and then subjected to intense vacuum to draw air through the carpet backing to create a porous structure. A layer of porous thermoformable material may be applied to the porous carpet structure to provide mechanical strength.

Abstract: An implementation of a printer ink delivery system and method for increasing the efficiency of space utilization within a printer includes at least one available-space-conforming internal ink tank adapted to fit within difficult to access areas within a printer's enclosure. A fill port allows the temporary attachment of an externally located, ergonomically shaped ink refill canister. By utilizing space which otherwise might go unused for placement of the internal ink tank, a smaller printer enclosure may be designed. By providing a fill port adapted for attachment of ergonomic ink refill canister, the user is easily able to refill the internal ink tank.

Abstract: Sound attenuating composite articles and methods of making same are provided. Sound attenuating composite article include first, second and/or third and/or fourth layers of material. The first layer of material may be either an acoustic fiber batting and/or an acoustic foam material and may be an elastic or inelastic material. The second layer of material is a thermoplastic material that is fused to a surface of the first layer of material. The third layer of material is a thermoplastic material that is fused to a surface of the second layer of material. The fourth layer of material is a woven or non-woven mixture of fibers, such as scrim material, that is attached to a surface of the third layer of material. Selected portions of the sound attenuating composite article are heated and then compressed (referred to as “tuned”) so as to have an acoustic impedance that is greater than an acoustic impedance of adjacent portions.

Abstract: A rejuvenation station has a housing with a first area adapted to hold a fluid supply, and a second area adapted to hold a printer cartridge. In the first area is a first fluidic interconnect that is adapted to couple with the fluid supply. In the second area is a second fluidic interconnect that is adapted to couple with the printer cartridge. A fluid path in the housing couples the fluidic interconnects. An actuator extracts fluid from at least one of the fluid supply and the printer cartridge, and inserts fluid into the printer cartridge through the fluid path.

Abstract: A rejuvenation station has a housing with a first area adapted to hold a fluid supply, and a second area adapted to hold a printer cartridge. In the first area is a first fluidic interconnect that is adapted to couple with the fluid supply. In the second area is a second fluidic interconnect that is adapted to couple with the printer cartridge. A fluid path in the housing couples the fluidic interconnects. An actuator extracts fluid from at least one of the fluid supply and the printer cartridge, and inserts fluid into the printer cartridge through the fluid path.

Abstract: A rejuvenation station has a housing with a first area adapted to hold a fluid supply, and a second area adapted to hold a printer cartridge. In the first area is a first fluidic interconnect that is adapted to couple with the fluid supply. In the second area is a second fluidic interconnect that is adapted to couple with the printer cartridge. A fluid path in the housing couples the fluidic interconnects. An actuator extracts fluid from at least one of the fluid supply and the printer cartridge, and inserts fluid into the printer cartridge through the fluid path.

Abstract: A prosthetic sleeve for covering a gel sleeve having a reinforced circular opening at the distal end of the sleeve that is sewn or serged and then optionally coated with a gel to prevent unraveling of the yarn. The invention includes a knit sleeve having an upper end, a distal end defining the circular opening for receiving a locking pin secured to one end of the gel sleeve, a perimeter defining the outer boundary of the circular opening formed of serged yarn for reinforcing the circular opening, a gel coating on the perimeter for preventing the overlap of sleeve material between the gel sleeve and prosthetic device, and a coating of gel on the yarns forming a portion of the knit sleeve immediately surrounding the circular opening for providing resilient flexibility to the distal end of the knit sleeve.