Abstract: A system and associated method is used for warming an endoscope, laparoscope, or other such instrument to minimize fogging. The preferred embodiment comprises a pad for wrapping around an instrument, including a one or more substances operative to generate heat through an exothermic reaction; and an activation disc located around the periphery of the pad to provide for convenient user access. In the preferred embodiment, the activator is a mixture of water and sodium acetate, and the disc is made of perforated stainless steel. A housing contains the pad in sleeve form and an optional heat-conductive tube to receive the instrument around which the pad is wrapped. The pad may be partitioned.

Abstract: A display which provides for the display of a printed media message during daylight hours and an LED message during evening hours. The display can be remotely reconfigured to change and monitor the LED message.

Abstract: An automatic microtome is disclosed which comprises a base, a knife-holder mounted on the base for supporting a microtome knife, a specimen holder mounted for longitudinal movement relative to the base towards and away from the knife-holder and also mounted for transverse movement relative to the knife holder for displacing a specimen held by the specimen holder relative to a knife mounted in the knife holder for cutting sections from such specimen. The knife holder is mounted directly on the base without provision for adjustment of the position of the knife holder on the base such as to vary the location of the knife edge in relation to said edge, and the specimen holder is designed to provide enhanced stability over a wide range of longitudinal positions the specimen holder.

Abstract: The use of at least 0.5% by weight water as an additive in a hairspray composition for the purpose of inducing or enhancing autophobic behavior in the hairspray composition.

Abstract: An aerosol antiperspirant composition for topical application to the human skin, comprising an antiperspirant active and a propellant, characterised in that the propellant comprises pentane.

Abstract: A humidification system for a building utilizing a hot water heating tank within which is mounted a plenum chamber. Hot water from the tank is directed into the plenum chamber in controlled quantities and is agitated as controlled by a humidistat within the building to either vaporize the water within the plenum chamber or to force pressurized air through the plenum chamber to wet the air. The vaporized water or the wet air is directed from the plenum chamber into the air supply of the building. A water level control in the form of a float valve maintains the level of the water within the plenum chamber at a controlled level. The water may be vaporized by an electrical heater within the plenum chamber or the water may be aerated by air forced through the plenum chamber by a compressor, the humidistat activating the heater or the compressor.

Abstract: A method of forming and extending the width of an existing sand beach at an ocean sea shore by raising the level of the beach. The method includes the construction of a barrier, preferably from concrete, in a configuration having a cross section in the form of a substantially equilateral triangle but with a rounded apex at the top. The barrier is constructed at the low tide water level and the apex is approximately 12 to 18 inches below the high tide water level. As water flows over the barrier to the high tide level sand is deposited on the land side of the barrier and builds up to the level of the apex. The process can be expedited by dredging and pumping sand and sea water over the barrier. As the sand builds up to the level of the apex on the land side sand also is deposited on the ocean side, thereby totally submerging the barrier so that the barrier does not interfere with bathers or sea turtles or the like.

Abstract: A stepped cone draw block disclosed has intermediate sheaves which each include a pair of plate-like annular sheave members with peripheral flanges between which a ceramic ring for drawing a wire is clamped. Side surfaces of the sheave members of each intermediate sheave face away from each other along an axis of a shaft on which the draw block is mounted and axially facing surfaces of these sheave members are bolted in engagement with each other midway between the side surfaces. One sheave member of each intermediate sheave has a central opening sized to receive and mount the sheave on the shaft with a shaft key received within a keyway of the opening to provide coupling to the shaft, while the other sheave member has an opening slightly larger than the shaft and a groove aligned with but slightly larger than the keyway so as to facilitate mounting of the sheave.