Abstract: A composition for coating a polypropylene-based fabric or polypropylene-based material for use in decreasing the transmission of human pathogens. A device such as a protective face mask made from a polypropylene-based fabric or polypropylene-based material coated with the composition.

Abstract: A facial mask for use in decreasing the transmission of one or more than one human pathogen to and from a human wearer of the facial mask, the facial mask comprising a facepiece; where the facepiece comprises three or more than three layers; where one or more than one of the three or more than three layers comprises a fabric comprising one or more than one binding substance comprising one or more than one human pathogen binding group for chemically attaching the human pathogen to the binding substance; where the fabric further comprises one or more than one type of multivalent metallic ion or metallic salt; and where one or more than one of the three or more than three layers comprises a heat-moldable fabric.

Abstract: A composition for coating a polypropylene-based fabric or polypropylene-based material for use in decreasing the transmission of human pathogens. A device such as a protective face mask made from a polypropylene-based fabric or polypropylene-based material coated with the composition.

Abstract: A facial mask for use in decreasing the transmission of one or more than one human pathogen to and from a human wearer of the facial mask, the facial mask comprising a facepiece; where the facepiece comprises three or more than three layers; where one or more than one of the three or more than three layers comprises a fabric comprising one or more than one binding substance comprising one or more than one human pathogen binding group for chemically attaching the human pathogen to the binding substance; where the fabric further comprises one or more than one type of multivalent metallic ion or metallic salt; and where one or more than one of the three or more than three layers comprises a heat-moldable fabric.

Abstract: A composition useful for treating the substrate of a tobacco smoke filter. A tobacco smoke filter comprising one or more than one free porphyrin or one or more than one free metal phthalocyanine. A seamless tobacco smoke filter (80, 90) comprising a first segment and a second segment. A device (110) for making a tobacco smoke filter from tobacco smoke filter substrate comprising a rod maker machine (112) and an applicator (120) for applying one or more than one additive intermittently to the substrate in a plurality of spaced bands.

Abstract: An electrical adapter having a manually retractable cable assembly where the electrical contacts of the retractable cable assembly are disposed along an axis of rotation to minimize the friction between the cable and contacts therein when the cable is extended and retracted. The electrical adapter includes a housing; an electrical plug assembly including an interchangeable module coupled to an adapter module, the interchangeable module having a plurality of prongs for receiving a first voltage when mated with an electrical receptacle, and a converter electrically coupled to the assembly for converting the first voltage into a second voltage; and a retractable cable assembly supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the converter.

Abstract: An electrical adapter having a manually retractable cable assembly where the electrical contacts of the retractable cable assembly are disposed along an axis of rotation to minimize the friction between the cable and contacts therein when the cable is extended and retracted. The electrical adapter includes a housing; an electrical plug assembly including an interchangeable module coupled to an adapter module, the interchangeable module having a plurality of prongs for receiving a first voltage when mated with an electrical receptacle, and a converter electrically coupled to the assembly for converting the first voltage into a second voltage; and a retractable cable assembly supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the converter.

Abstract: A semiconductor packaging structure comprising a hybrid IC package having at least one IC chip mounted therein is disclosed. The semiconductor packaging structure includes a DC-DC switching power supply mounted within the hybrid IC package that is electrically coupled to at least one of the IC chips by conductive paths formed in said hybrid IC package for supplying at least one specified voltage to the at least one IC chip. Power is supplied to the DC-DC switching power supply from a remote power source.

Abstract: An electrical adapter is supported by a housing and includes an electrical plug assembly having an input for receiving a high voltage, a converter electrically coupled to the assembly for converting the high voltage to a low voltage, and a retractable cable assembly supported by the housing and electrically coupled to the converter. The retractable cable assembly includes a cable coupled at one end to an electrical plug for outputting the low voltage to the electrical device, and is enabled to retract the cable. In a preferred embodiment, the retractable cable assembly includes slots defined within a bore of a cable reel to support a pair of first interengageable electrical contacts coupled to the other end of the low voltage cable. These electrical contacts rotationally mate with a pair of second interengageable electrical contacts disposed along the axis of rotation within the retractable cable assembly. One of the first contacts includes a pair of edges defining a gap therein.

Abstract: A mounting structure for providing DC power to an IC package is disclosed. The mounting structure comprises a socket for receiving an IC package, having one or more IC chips, and a power supply for supplying at least one specified DC voltage to the IC package. The power supply is coupled to the IC package by conductive paths formed in the socket.

Abstract: An improved temperature control system for a power conversion circuit having two or more power converters operating in parallel and providing output power to a single load. The temperature control system maintains the temperature of each of these power converters at approximately the average temperature of the power converters. A detector coupled to each power converter detects the temperature of the power converter and generates a measurement signal that is a function thereof. A reference signal is generated that is a function of each measurement signal. A control circuit responsive to the measurement signal of each power converter adjusts the output power of that respective converter as a function of the difference between that converter's measurement signal and the reference signal such that the temperature of each power converter approximates the average of temperature of the power converters.

Abstract: A multicell battery power system for providing power to a load is disclosed. The battery power system includes a plurality of battery modules and power bus for transmitting power between the battery modules and the primary load. Each of the battery modules includes a battery for providing electrical power and connection circuitry for connecting the battery to the power bus. The battery modules each include circuitry for monitoring the power output and status of the battery means. Each battery module also includes a programmable battery controller for controlling the operation of the battery and the connection circuitry. The battery controller is programmably responsive to the power monitoring circuitry, and in an illustrated embodiment is also be responsive to a system power controller or to one or more other battery modules. A battery charger may also be included in each module to provide programmably controlled individual recharging of batteries by module.

Abstract: A Circuit for reversing the direction of current flow in a rectifying device of a power converter during a time interval just prior to when the rectifying device is to be rendered non-conductive is described. The current reversal substantially reduces or eliminates reverse-recovery currents in the rectifying device, which may cause short circuits and needlessly dissipates power. The circuit comprises an energy source, a magnetic storage device, and a switch for coupling the magnetic storage device to the energy source. The magnetic storage device may comprise an inductor or a transformer. The energy source may include a voltage source, the converter's input voltage, the output voltage, or a winding magnetically coupled to another magnetic storage device of the converter. The reversal circuit includes a circuit for coupling the reversing current to the rectifying device such that it partially or completely reverses the flow of current in the rectifying device.