Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an anvil and an elongate channel. The elongate channel includes a plurality of first electrical contacts and a plurality of electrical connectors comprising a plurality of second electrical contacts, wherein the electrical connectors are spring-biased such that a gap is maintained between the first electrical contacts and the second electrical contacts. The surgical instrument further includes a staple cartridge releasably attachable to the elongate channel, wherein the staple cartridge has a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities, a plurality of staples deployable from the staple cavities into the tissue, and a plurality of third electrical contacts, wherein the attachment of the staple cartridge to the elongate channel moves the electrical connectors causing the second electrical contacts to bridge the gap and become electrically coupled to the first electrical contacts.

Abstract: A doll having a natural appearance, a natural feel, and natural motion has an internal support system covered by a flexible integument. The support system has a forward section corresponding to a shoulder girdle and a rearward section corresponding to a pelvic girdle. The forward section and the rearward section are connected by a first component that is flexible in range but not in scope. Forward limbs are attached to the forward section and rearward limbs are attached to the rearward section. A plurality of components comprising a second (straight) component, a third (hinge joint) component, and a fourth (ball-and-socket joint) component are used for other portions of the support system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for producing realistic doll heads that have the facial appearance of particular children. The customer, using ten facial characteristics set forth in a chart, selects from among a predetermined number of facial characteristics those most closely resembling the facial appearance of the child. The facial characteristics that are selected comprise seven face shapes (rounded, oval, pear, rectangular, thinner rectangular, thinner heart, and wider heart); skin tone; eye color; eyelash color; eyebrow color, thickness, and shape; hair color, cut, length., and style; and birthmarks, moles, and/or freckles. The selected characteristics are then applied to the doll head to produce a one-of-a-kind doll closely resembling the child.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for producing realistic doll heads that have the facial appearance of particular children. The customer, using ten facial characteristics set forth in a chart, selects from among a predetermined number of facial characteristics those most closely resembling the facial appearance of the child. The facial characteristics that are selected comprise seven face shapes (rounded, oval, pear, rectangular, thinner rectangular, thinner heart, and wider heart); skin tone; eye color; eyelash color; eyebrow color, thickness, and shape; hair color, cut, length, and style; and birthmarks, moles, and/or freckles. The selected characteristics are then applied to the doll head to produce a one-of-a-kind doll closely resembling the child.

Abstract: A doll having a natural appearance, a natural feel, and natural motion has an internal support system covered by a flexible integument. The support system has a forward section corresponding to a shoulder girdle and a rearward section corresponding to a pelvic girdle. The forward section and the rearward section are connected by a first component that is flexible in range but not in scope. Forward limbs are attached to the forward section and rearward limbs are attached to the rearward section. A plurality of components comprising a second (straight) component, a third (hinge joint) component, and a fourth (ball-and-socket joint) component are used for other portions of the support system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for producing realistic doll heads that have the facial appearance of particular children. The customer, using ten facial characteristics set forth in a chart, selects from among a predetermined number of facial characteristics those most closely resembling the facial appearance of the child. The facial characteristics that are selected comprise seven face shapes (rounded, oval, pear, rectangular, thinner rectangular, thinner heart, and wider heart); skin tone; eye color; eyelash color; eyebrow color, thickness, and shape; hair color, cut, length, and style; and birthmarks, moles, and/or freckles. The selected characteristics are then applied to the doll head to produce a one-of-a-kind doll closely resembling the child.

Abstract: A novel craft art form product, system and method including patterns, paint, and applicators enables craft paint to form three-dimensional color bead matrix patterns having high degree of visual resolution and color saturation. Precisely located and closely spaced geometric shapes associated with a set of color symbols are used to form matrix designs in patterns. Each symbol represents an artistic expression which is assigned to a particular color. Each color symbol has a color darkness value which may also correspond to the darkness value of the assigned color. The craft paint material has the characteristics of forming a discrete substantially uniform and homogeneous, three-dimensional bead to overlay the color symbol associated with each geometric shape. The craft paint material can form discrete beads placed closely together without running together, yet retain sufficient fluidity to settle into smooth, substantially uniform beads.

Abstract: A fine applicator tip for a craft paint applicator for use in creating stylized textured designs. In a preferred embodiment, the applicator tip includes a parabolically-shaped inner passage to deliver the craft paint in a laminar flow with minimal flow resistance. This permits easy flow of the craft paint from the applicator with minimum hand fatigue. The size of the outside diameter of the surface of the dispensing end is critical for fine point application and for the craft paint flow to be uniform without adhering to the end surface of the dispensing end of the applicator tip. The thin sidewall thickness allows the dispensing end to be formed with a fine-tip and still have adequate rigidity. The applicator tip is formed with a reverse-threaded portion to affix the applicator tip onto an applictator. This allows the applicator to be easily removable for cleaning or replacement while prevents the applicator tip from being inadvertently removed.

Abstract: A craft art form product, system and method including patterns, paint, and applicators enables craft paint to form three-dimensional color bead matrix patterns having high degree of visual resolution and color saturation. Precisely located and closely spaced geometric shapes associated with a set of color symbols are used to form matrix designs in patterns. Each symbol represents an artistic expression which is assigned to a particular color. Each color symbol has a color darkness value which may also correspond to the darkness value of the assigned color. The craft paint material has the characteristics of forming a discrete substantially uniform and homogeneous, three-dimensional bead to overlay the color symbol associated with each geometric shape. The craft paint material can form discrete beads placed closely together without running together, yet retain sufficient fluidity to settle into smooth, substantially uniform beads. A fine tip applicator applies the craft paint material to each geometric shape.

Abstract: For sealing a fine point applicator tip of a craft paint applicator with a cap without damage to the dispensing end of the applicator tip. The cap includes an abutment shoulder for engaging a corresponding abutment shoulder on the applicator tip to form a first seal. A flexible shoulder is formed in the interior cavity of the cap spaced from the cap abutment shoulder. The interior cavity terminates in an end wall portion spaced from the flexible shoulder. The cap is threaded onto the applicator causing the dispensing end of the applicator tip to engage the cap end wall portion. The flexible shoulder of the interior cavity of the cap resiliently yields as the dispensing end is forced against the cap end wall portion during the continued rotation of the cap until the applicator abutment shoulder engages the abutment shoulder in the cap. The cap thus seals the applicator tip in at least two positions.

Abstract: A holder having a sealing cap portion for craft paint applicators. The holder includes a lower base portion with an interior cavity formed in the upper portion of the holder. A threaded portion is formed therein for mating engagement with a threaded portion on the applicator bottle. The interior cavity terminates in an end wall portion that seals the dispensing end of the applicator tip from air circulation and from leakage. The applicator is inserted in the interior cavity of the holder and twisted to lock the applicator tip in the holder so the applicator tip is sealed within the holder. This allows the base portion of the holder to support the applicator in a inverted position. Since the applicator is inverted, craft paint is always in fluid contact with the inner surfaces of the applicator tip.

Abstract: A liquid applicator bottle for holding and applying liquids, such as fabric paint, to surfaces is formed of a resiliently deformable hollow body. The bottle has a base at one end and sloped shoulders at the other end. The shoulders are angled toward each other to form a neck having an opening. A nozzle unit with a substantially cylindrical stem, sharply tapered to a flange, and having a passage therethrough, is mounted in the opening of the neck. The stem extends axially and outwardly from the flange, which is retained within the neck. A cap is removably mountable on the neck, in a covering relationship to the nozzle unit.

Abstract: A craft art form and system including patterns, paint, and applicators enables craft paint to form three-dimensional color dot matrix patterns having high degree of visual resolution and color saturation. Precisely located and closely spaced circles containing a standard set of color symbols are used to form designs in patterns. Each symbol in the standard set of symbols of the present invention represents an artistic expression which is permanently assigned to a particular color. Each color symbol has a darkness value which corresponds to the darkness value of the assigned color. The craft paint has the characteristics of forming a discrete uniform, homogeneous, three-dimensional bead to overlay the color symbol placed on each circle. This special beading paint can form beads placed very closely together (36 to 81 beads per square inch) without running together, yet retain sufficient fluidity to settle into smooth, substantially rounded, uniform beads.