Abstract: An ophthalmic fluid atomizer including a body having a proximal end and a distal end and a container connected to the body, wherein the container contains an ophthalmic fluid disposed therein. The atomizer further including a discharge plate disposed at the distal end and a wick extending from the container to the discharge plate and transmitting the ophthalmic fluid from the container to the discharge plate via capillary action. Transmission of the ophthalmic fluid across the discharge plate generates a plume of ophthalmic fluid along a direction directly toward the eye, wherein the plume of ophthalmic fluid travels unassisted from the discharge plate to the eye and at the eye has a momentum subliminal to at least one of an ocular blink reflex and a lacrimation reflex of the eye.

Abstract: A temple bar assembly for eyeglasses is provided having several adjustable members wherein all of the joints are formed by utilizing in-mold-assembly techniques to reduce the assembly steps required to form such a temple bar assembly. The temple bar assembly includes at least one of the following adjustment points: temple length, inclination angle and/or hinge attachment all formed using IMA while further resulting in a temple bar that has increased adjustability and utility. Also, the materials selected may include either hard or soft plastics to form either component.

Abstract: A frame assembly for eyeglasses is provided wherein the overall width of the eyeglass frame is adjustable by utilizing a telescoping brow bar. The upper frame member or brow bar is formed to include either a pair of telescoping or indexed joints allowing the length of the brow bar to be adjusted thereby placing the hinge points and temple bars further apart from one another. The adjustable length of the brow bar provides excellent adjustability of the overall width of the eyeglass frame in simple mechanical construction. Further, in a unique method of forming the adjustable brow bar assembly a central portion may be formed in a first molding step and an adjustable hinge section is then molded directly over the central portion in a second molding step. The present invention utilizes in-mold-assembly techniques to reduce the assembly steps required to form such an adjustable brow bar assembly while further resulting in an eyeglass frame that has increased adjustability and utility.

Abstract: A novel hinge assembly for eyeglasses is provided wherein a first structural member for the hinge structure is formed in a first molding step and a second structural member of the hinge structure is formed directly over a portion of the first structural member in a second molding step. The present invention utilizes in-mold-assembly techniques to reduce the assembly steps required to form such a hinge assembly while further resulting in a hinge assembly that has increased adjustability and utility. Specifically, the overmolded components form a ball and socket type joint allowing a large degree of lateral rotation in one direction and a limited amount of freedom in a second direction. This hinge allows the temple portion of the eyeglasses to be folded against the brow bar and the inclination angle between the temples and the brow bar to be adjusted.

Abstract: A brow bar and lens assembly for eyeglasses is provided wherein a flexible brow bar member is attached to a lens assembly only along a central region. By attaching the lens and brow bar in this manner, the brow bar is allowed to flex relative to the lens thereby providing additional means for adjusting the width of the eyeglasses and increasing the comfort for the wearer. Further, the lens construction may include channels along its top edge thereby creating voids that provide a space into which the two ends of the brow bar can travel when deflected relative to the central region.

Abstract: A novel frame construction for eyeglasses is provided wherein the upper frame member is formed to have greatly enhanced flexibility to increase the overall adjustability, comfort and fit of the eyeglasses. The upper frame member includes areas wherein the material is selectively weakened to create predetermined flex points periodically within the frame member. Additionally, the weakened areas may be filled and/or covered with a second material that is more flexible than the base material used to form the frame member. The enhanced flexibility allows the upper frame member to flex as the temple members of the eyeglasses are stretched outwardly providing a comfortable fit for a wide range of wearers. Further, the top edge of the eyeglass lens may include formations that provide clearance for the deflection of the top frame member.

Abstract: The disposable safety eyewear has a lens portion having a bridge portion and a nose support thereon. Left and right temple bars are connected to the lens portion by living hinges. The living hinges are operable between an open position and a folded position. Mating formations secure the living hinges in its respective folded position.

Abstract: Devices and methods for integrated packaging, shipping, storage and precise dispensing of extremely small volumes of liquids such as aqueous solutions and compounds dissolved in organic solvents are disclosed. Devices of the invention include a sealed reservoir with an integrated metering tap. The tap includes a metering tube, which is translatable between a fill position inside the reservoir and an expel position outside the reservoir. The metering tube includes: (1) a tube end closure in a lower portion of the tube, (2) a port above the tube end closure, and (3) a piston in an upper portion of the tube. The piston is movable between a down position that seals the side port and an up position above the port. Movement of the piston from the up position to the down position can displace from 10 nanoliters to 20 microliters, e.g., from 20 nanoliters to 2 microliters, or 50 nanoliters to 500 nanoliters.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for the storage, shipment, moving and/or transferring, mixing, reacting, isolation, conditioning, lyophilization, stabilization, metering, dispensing, detecting, manipulation and management of materials, particularly solids, powders and liquids. Each such device or method provides a means of storing one or more quantities of one or more materials in one or more reservoirs, optionally protecting said quantities from air, moisture or light. Optionally, multiple such reservoirs may be placed or arranged in ensembles such as in arrays or other physical patterns, optionally providing for the simultaneous, parallel or rapid access to more than one such reservoir at once.

Abstract: An automatic fluid switching valve is disclosed. The switching valve includes first, second and third ports and a valve member controlling fluid flow between the ports. The valve member substantially prevents fluid from flowing: (a) from the third port to the first port; (b) from the second port to the first port; (c) from the third port to the second port; and (d) directly from the first port to the third port. The valve member has a first state in which it permits fluid to flow from the first port to the second port and a second state in which it permits fluid to flow from the second port to the third port.

Abstract: A hanger for attaching a length of a transmission line, such as, a coaxial cable or a waveguide to a supporting structure, such as, a crossbar on an antenna tower, includes two gripping elements. The elements have posts and openings to facilitate aligning of them with respect to each other. The posts and openings are arranged so that the posts in one element fit into the openings of the other element to help align the two elements when they are placed around a transmission line. Once aligned, the two elements are brought toward each other until they snap together to form a clamping structure which loosely grips the transmission line. The clamping structure can then be slid to the desired location on the transmission line. A bolt or a screw is then inserted through the aligned bolt or screw openings in the two elements and through the supporting structure.