Abstract: A temperature-stable cosmetic composition including a polyamide resin, a solvent for the polyamide resin, and a gelling agent selected from the group consisting of N-acyl amino acid amides, N-acyl amino acid esters, and mixtures thereof, is disclosed. A composition of the invention can be made translucent or transparent, need not require specialized packaging and containers, is not subject to hardening caused by evaporation of volatile alcohols, is temperature-stable over a period of several weeks, and exhibits excellent esthetic and functional properties, including sensory properties, for consumer acceptance.

Abstract: A vibration isolator including a bearing support and an elastic member that communicates with a vibration source. The elastic member is capable of bending from an original position to assume a more or less bowed position in response to changes in a load applied to the midportion of the elastic member intermediate its ends and returning essentially to its original position when the original load is restored. The elastic member engages a friction-resistant bearing surface on the bearing support at a distance spaced from each of its ends and moves relative to the bearing surface in response to a bending of the elastic member. The apparatus may be tuned to effectively isolate a particular vibration frequency, for example, by altering the properties of the elastic member or by changing the distance between the points on the bearing support that engage the elastic member.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor including a motor body, a compliant layer in communication with the motor body, and a predetermined number of legs in communication with the compliant layer, which urges the legs into engagement with a substrate. Each of the legs includes a piezoelectric wafer, preferably operated in the shear mode. The actuation of a piezoelectric wafer causes the corresponding leg to be displaced relative to a substrate. This displacement results in the transfer of strain energy to the compliant layer. The energy stored in the compliant layer may be released, causing the motor to advance along the substrate. The legs may be capable of moving independently from one another and also may be capable of moving sequentially or in a predetermined groups or units. The legs also may be arranged in pairs with the leg pairs being capable of simultaneous actuation. The motor is capable of maintaining a high holding force in the absence of a power input.

Abstract: A conveyor assembly having upper and lower truss portions includes a hinge mechanism structurally arranged to be secured to the upper truss and lower truss portions. Rotational movement of the hinge mechanism lowers the lower truss portion while simultaneously positioning the upper truss portion in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the lower truss portion.

Abstract: A light filter for dental use having: a transparent planar member (20) coloured so as to filter-out visible radiation in the range of 400 nm to 520 nm, the range being that to which dental light-cured materials are sensitive; a base (22) of a magnetic material attached to the underside of the planar member (20); and an attachment device (36) having a shell (34) of a magnetic material containing a permanent magnet (30), the attachment device (36) being attached to the lens (16).

Abstract: A series of aryl piperazine compounds are effective pharmaceuticals for the treatment of conditions related to or affected by the serotonin 1A receptor; the compounds are particularly effective antagonists at that receptor, and are particularly useful for alleviating the symptoms of nicotine and tobacco withdrawal.

Abstract: A vibration isolator including a bearing support and an elastic member that communicates with a vibration source. The elastic member is capable of bending from an original position to assume a more or less bowed position in response to changes in a load applied to the midportion of the elastic member intermediate its ends and returning essentially to its original position when the original load is restored. The elastic member engages a friction-resistant bearing surface on the bearing support at a distance spaced from each of its ends and moves relative to the bearing surface in response to a bending of the elastic member. The apparatus may be tuned to effectively isolate a particular vibration frequency, for example, by altering the properties of the elastic member or by changing the distance between the points on the bearing support that engage the elastic member.

Abstract: A flip-chip bonded VCSEL CMOS circuit for preventing rearwardly emitted photons from the VCSEL from interfering with CMOS operation. The CMOS has bonding pads affixed thereto and spaced apart to define a region. The VCSEL is mounted to the bonding pads so that a lower mirror of the VCSEL is positioned between the bonding pads and in close proximity to an upper, major surface of the CMOS. A blocking layer is provided and is positioned within the region defined by the bonding pads to absorb or reflect rearwardly emitted photons from the VCSEL. In another embodiment, the blocking layer is removed and a photon detector is formed in the CMOS for collecting the rearwardly emitted photons for use in determining, inter alia, VCSEL laser power.

Abstract: A folding utility cart for a providing a movable work platform which may be raised and lowered without the use of tools. The cart employs an upper support member that is spaced apart from a lower support member by a pair of cross braces. A biasing spring helps raise the upper support member into an elevated position, and a releasable lock secures the upper support member into the elevated position. A lock release disengages the upper support member from the elevated position. The cart also has a handle, support feet, and wheels, allowing use in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A filter arrangement comprises a filter head and a filter body. The filter body and filter head are provided with components arranged to cooperate with one another to permit the filter body to be secured to the filter head by sliding the filter body in a lateral direction thereof relative to the filter head.

Abstract: A plasticized high water content cosmetic gel that will be sharpenable when used as a core inside of a sharpenable pencil barrel. The gel essentially comprises, by weight, about 25-42% water; about 25-35% of a polyol or aliphatic diol vehicle such as a butylene glycol; about 4-12% sodium stearate; about 0.1-2% of a carboxylated acid ester plasticizer; about 4-28% of a colorant; and about 0.1-1% of a surfactant. To reduce syneresis, adding about 1 percent or less a viscosity increasing agent is effective. For water resistance when the cosmetic gel is applied to a user's skin, adding about 5-10% of a styrene acrylic polymer waterproofing agent is effective, and does not increase irritation levels out of the mild range.

Abstract: A system for supporting an architectural element such that the supporting structure resists unexpected, infrequent shocks such as might be encountered during an earthquake or other disaster and isolates the architectural element from variations in the level or stability of the surface on which the structure rests. The system provides an apparatus for supporting an architectural element that includes a pair of laterally spaced apart fixed bearing members arranged on a surface beneath or adjacent to a site for an architectural element, and an elongated elastic member supported on bearing surfaces of the bearing members at a distance spaced inwardly from the ends of the elongated member. An architectural element, which may comprise a base for a building or other structure, a building, or a portion of a building, may be placed in association with the elongated member.

Abstract: A method of supporting a transportation surface, such as a vehicular bridge, a railroad trestle or an elevated walkway, that is resistant to unexpected, infrequent shocks such as might be encountered during an earthquake or similar disaster. The method includes arranging laterally spaced apart fixed bearing members on a surface adjacent a path for a transportation surface and supporting elongated elastic members on the bearing members at a distance spaced inwardly from the ends of the elastic members. The transportation surface may be placed in association with the elastic members. Beginning from an equilibrium state, each elastic member is capable of bending in proportion to the magnitude of an additional load applied intermediate the ends of the elastic member, with the ends of the elastic member sliding against the bearing members a distance also proportional to the magnitude of the additional load.

Abstract: A method of supporting distribution means, such as a pipeline, that accommodates temperature-induced expansion or contraction of the distribution means as well as unexpected, infrequent shocks to the structure, and provides effective thermal isolation of the distribution means from the surface on which the structure rests. The method includes arranging laterally spaced apart fixed bearing supports on a surface adjacent a path for distribution means and supporting elongated elastic members on the bearing supports at a distance spaced inwardly from the ends of the elastic members. Distribution means may be placed in association with the elastic members. Beginning from an equilibrium state, each elastic member is capable of bending in proportion to the magnitude of an additional load applied intermediate the ends of the elastic member, with the ends of each member sliding against the bearing members a distance also proportional to the magnitude of the additional load.

Abstract: A controlled-release nutrient source is added at a low level to a bioremediation environment to enhance microorganism growth and activity and promote the effectiveness of the bioremediation in removing environmental contaminants.

Abstract: A nail polish or lacquer removing composition is reported which includes a volatile organic solvent such as acetone, a conditioning agent which is a C.sub.8 -C.sub.20 fatty acid or salt thereof, and a suspending polymer which is a styrene/(meth)acrylic copolymer. Absent the suspending copolymer, the conditioning agent tends to separate from the formulation.

Abstract: An earthquake-resistant architectural system incorporates a number of homeostatic devices which offer increasing, instead of decreasing, resistance to a load and its resulting stresses. A common feature of the improvement is that support posts are topped by bearings facing each other and having grooved channels which are inclined at an angle to the longitudinal axis of each resilient transverse member at rest, so that a horizontal distance, when measured in a straight line between opposite points of contact in the grooved channels, decreases as the load increases and bends each resilient transverse member.

Abstract: A plant loop communication system utilizing a plurality of Loop Interface Slave (LIS) modules, each of which being an intelligent slave module incorporating its own microprocessor, is described. The use of such a module permits off-load processing so that receiving, transmitting and message processing cam occur simultaneously. A Superloop Bus Module (SBM) contains a data base which allows the asynchronous operation of the system. A Superloop Storage Module (SSM) stores data for transmission onto the loop and/or incoming data for transmission to an operator console.