Abstract: This invention discloses a multifunctional diet calculator comprising a user operable input for receiving at least one target amount of at least one food substance to be consumed by a user and information regarding actual consumption of food substances by the user, a memory for storing target amounts of the at least one food substance and cumulative actual consumption thereof over a given period, a computation unit for determining the relationship between the target amounts and the cumulative actual consumption, an output device showing the relationship between the target amounts and the cumulative actual consumption, a prompt unit for providing at least one user sensible prompt during the given period for reminding the user to consume a food substance and a clock for providing timing information for at least the computation unit and the prompt unit.

Abstract: A shower head including a housing, a turbine and a fluid exit body in operative engagement therewith, such that a fluid flow through the turbine causes rotation thereof and periodic motion of the fluid exit body. The fluid exit body is in a tilted position in the housing and the periodic motion consists of a simultaneous rotational travel of the fluid exit body around the axis of the turbine and an oscillatory, rocking movement of the fluid exit body in the housing.

Abstract: In machines such as hauling units having electro-hydraulic transmission controls, it is desirable to ensure that in the event of an electrical malfunction or power failure the transmission remains in one of its gear ratios. In the subject invention, a dependent latching system is provided in a transmission which in the event of an electrical malfunction latches the transmission in the existing gear ratio or a gear ratio within at least two gears ratios. This is accomplished by providing a master latch valve mechanism, a logic valve arrangement, and a latching shuttle valve to act in cooperation with an electrically controlled proportional valve and a hydraulic proportional valve that controls engagement of a plurality of hydraulically actuated clutches. The master latch valve mechanism directs pressurized fluid from a source of pressurized fluid through the logic valve to urge the latching shuttle valve to an open position.

Abstract: Methods are described for treating sickle cell disease, and in particular, detection and treatment of vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease. Antibodies are employed which bind competitively and suppress adhesion of sickle erythrocytes to autologous lymphocytes.

Abstract: Non-perforated tear lines for removal and evacuation of contents of disposable undergarments such as training pants. Non-perforated tear lines include a series of bond sites which are shaped, sized, spaced and arranged to provide a zone of weakness to permit severance of nonelasticized portions as well as elastic disposed in the waistband, the body of the pant, and the elastic leg bands for complete removal. Bond sites are formed by displacing a portion of material such that a thickened outer edge defines a weakened area of reduced thickness. Thus, elastic in the waistband may be disposed continuously 360 degrees around the wearer's waist, and elastic in the leg bands may be disposed continuously 360 degrees around the wearer's legs. In addition, improved pants having elasticized ear flaps in the body of the pants can be conveniently removed from the wearer.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for assessing the quality of an oocyte or pre-implantation embryo are provided. The methods involve comparing the NADH fluorescence of the oocyte or embryo in a control medium to the NADH fluorescence after the oocyte or embryo has been contacted with an essential nutrient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a tensioned garter. A garter is any continuous loop of elastic material or a laminate of elastic bands and one or more flexible backing sheets. In one embodiment mandrels having a perimeter of the desired garter shape are mounted to a rotating drum. Tensioned elastic ribbons are progressively clamped, sealed, and cut around the mandrels to form individual tensioned garters which cling to the side walls of the mandrels. Once the garters are formed the mandrels may be rotated on their radial axes for alignment with downstream operations. Sealing through elastic members is avoided by interrupting the bonding of elastic members to an elasticized laminate at locations where ribbons are to be clamped. High compression of elastics where they are not sealed to the laminate causes elastic members to burst and contract. Elastic contraction leaves an area in which ribbons may then be bonded together without sealing through elastic members.

Abstract: A method for combining a tensioned garter with a substrate while holding the garter in a predetermined shape. A mandrel has a perimeter of the desired garter shape. An elastic garter is stretched and placed onto the mandrel such that an upper portion of the garter extends above a top surface of the mandrel while a lower portion of the garter clings to a side wall of the mandrel. The upper portion of the garter has sufficient elastic tension to cause it to fold over onto the top surface of the mandrel to form a garter flange. A substrate is then engaged with the garter flange and a sealing means seals the flange to the substrate, using the top surface of the mandrel as an anvil.

Abstract: A blind rivet includes a tubular shell formed with an enlarged head and a shank, and a mandrel formed with a stem and an enlarged head. The shell and mandrel are insertable from one side of a plurality of members to be fastened together through aligned openings such that a pull force applied to the mandrel from that side causes the shell shank to bulge outwardly, and thereby to securely fasten the members between the shell head and the bulged portion of the shell shank. The mandrel includes two gripping portions axially spaced from the mandrel head and each other by bridging portions of smaller diameter than the gripping portions such that the shank is firmly gripped by the outer surfaces of the two gripping portions when the mandrel is pulled to outwardly bulge the shell shank.

Abstract: A restriction checker generator is disclosed for generating a restriction checker capable of checking horizontal microcode instructions against restrictions which the microcode instructions must satisfy in order to be valid. The generator comprises means for transforming information representing each restriction into at least one logical test for the instruction, each logical test comprising a number of sub-tests for the values of fields of the instruction such that failure of any one of the sub-tests by an instruction indicates that the restriction is satisfied by the instruction. The sub-tests can be set-membership tests or arithmetic tests.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a tensioned garter and bonding it to a substrate while holding the garter in a predetermined shape. A garter is any continuous loop of elastic material or a laminate of elastic bands and one or more flexible backing sheets. In one embodiment mandrels having a perimeter of the desired garter shape are mounted to a rotating drum. Tensioned elastic ribbons are progressively wrapped, sealed, and cut around the mandrels to form individual tensioned garters which cling to the side walls of the mandrels. In another embodiment each mandrel has a top surface. The upper portion of a garter has sufficient elastic tension to cause it to fold over the mandrel top surface to form a garter flange thereon. A substrate is then engaged with the garter flange and an external sealing means seals the flange to the substrate, using the mandrel top surface as an anvil. In still another embodiment the mandrel top surface has a raised outer rim.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating hair including a handle; hair separation apparatus having a generally elongate base portion associated with the handle, and a plurality of parallel teeth attached to the base apparatus, and extending transversely therefrom, each tooth having a free end; and drive apparatus for oscillating the plurality of teeth at a frequency of no less than about 3,000 cycles per minute and for limiting a stroke of the free end of each the tooth to a length of no greater than approximately 8 mm, and for bringing the plurality of teeth into repeated engagement with a group of hairs attached to skin, thereby to ease passage of the hair separation apparatus through the group of hairs at a level of discomfort tolerable to a user.

Abstract: A thin film battery is disclosed based on the use of ceramic membrane technology. The battery includes a pair of conductive collectors on which the materials for the anode and the cathode may be spin coated. The separator is formed of a porous metal oxide ceramic membrane impregnated with electrolyte so that electrical separation is maintained while ion mobility is also maintained. The entire battery can be made less than 10 microns thick while generating a potential in the 1 volt range.

Abstract: A parking system for vehicles includes a vehicle support platform adapted to support a vehicle over a parking area and having a rear end portion permitting travel of a vehicle thereacross, a front end portion, and side portions extending longitudinally between the rear and front end portions; and support apparatus for the platform located at a predetermined end portion of the parking area and adapted to engage the platform front end portion only.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus for filtering contaminants from a cooling system for an internal combustion engine with a liquid cooled radiator comprising a filtering screen to remove unwanted contaminants from the radiator fluid without substantially restricting fluid flow. Placed in a direct flowpath of the fluid, the filtering screen comprises a filtering surface and a semi-detachable precut flap. The precut flap can be partially cut to open once a specific flow pressure is reached thereby, as filtered contaminants become deposited on the filtering surface and increase in the flow pressure, the precut flap will open in the direction of the flow so as to provide sufficient fluid for the successful operation of the cooling system.

Abstract: A thin film battery is disclosed based on the use of ceramic membrane technology. The battery includes a pair of conductive collectors on which the materials for the anode and the cathode may be spin coated. The separator is formed of a porous metal oxide ceramic membrane impregnated with electrolyte so that electrical separation is maintained while ion mobility is also maintained. The entire battery can be made less than 10 microns thick while generating a potential in the 1 volt range.