Abstract: The present invention provides a compact, inexpensive fluorescence microscope capable of high-resolution imaging with high light throughput suitable for use in both laboratory and field environments, and methods of use. A simple and inexpensive fluorescence microscope allows health care workers to perform various medical assays at the point of care instead of having to collect and transport biological samples to distant labs, and subsequently return the results to the patient. The microscope of the present invention is also useful for educational use and field use, and other uses as well.

Abstract: Children and adults are often seen collecting shells at the beach. Most don't know the name of the shell or anything about it. There's a need to create interest and education about seashells. There is literature which identifies seashells but nothing in the form of a game which would spark that interest. I've invented a seashell game geared for specific geographic locations that identifies indigenous seashells. The game consists of a plastic board with several indentations for specific shells to be placed into. A picture of that shell, its name and interesting information is printed next to the appropriate indentation. The object of the game is for players to fill each indentation with the proper shell within a time limit. The game provides a fun way to learn about seashells and occupy one's time while at the beach. Once filled, the game can be displayed in home, school or office.

Abstract: Children and adults are often seen collecting shells at the beach. Most don't know the name of the shell or anything about it. There's a need to create interest and education about seashells. There is literature which identifies seashells but nothing in the form of a game which would spark that interest. I've invented a seashell game geared for specific geographic locations that identifies indigenous seashells. The game consists of a plastic board with several indentations for specific shells to be placed into. A picture of that shell, its name and interesting information is printed next to the appropriate indentation. The object of the game is for players to fill each indentation with the proper shell within a time limit. The game provides a fun way to learn about seashells and occupy one's time while at the beach. Once filled, the game can be displayed in home, school or office.

Abstract: Flat screen television sets used in a bedroom are commonly placed upon a dresser or mounted on a wall. This takes up room on the dresser and restricts viewing from much of the room and causes strained viewing from other locations in the room. I found that there are currently no products which solve this problem. I have invented a swivel television stand that is mounted on a pedestal which has a base which allows the stand to slide under any size bed or to be placed anywhere in the room. The swivel also allows the television to be tilted or raised or lowered with ease. There is a shelf on the stand which holds gaming devices, cable boxes, dvd players, etc. The swivel stand is designed in such a way that allows viewing from any place in the room without straining and it takes up no extra dresser space.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compact, inexpensive fluorescence microscope capable of high-resolution imaging with high light throughput suitable for use in both laboratory and field environments, and methods of use. A simple and inexpensive fluorescence microscope allows health care workers to perform various medical assays at the point of care instead of having to collect and transport biological samples to distant labs, and subsequently return the results to the patient. The microscope of the present invention is also useful for educational use and field use, and other uses as well.

Abstract: A cable tie installation tool tensions a cable tie about a plurality of elongated objects and severs an excess portion of the cable tie. The cable tie includes a head portion and a tail portion. The tool includes a housing having a blade guard having a front portion and an anvil portion, a tensioning mechanism operatively supported by the housing for tensioning the cable tie to a predetermined tension setting and retaining the cable tie head portion at least partially against the blade guard, and a severing mechanism including a linearly reciprocating blade for severing the excess portion of the cable tie near the head portion once the cable tie has been placed into the predetermined tension setting by the tensioning mechanism. The linearly reciprocating blade passes behind the front portion of the blade guard and in front of the anvil portion of the blade guard.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for mounting and dismounting tires. Apparatus typically comprises a pressing assembly positionable relative to a fixed wheel rim such that the pressing assembly controls force distribution across selected portions of a tire causing a tire bead to be eased onto the wheel rim. The apparatus typically includes an axis of rotation perpendicular to the wheel rim axis and wherein the axis of rotation is positionable in a plane that includes the wheel rim axis. The wheel rim can be fixed to a base assembly and handles allow positioning and transmittal of force to the pressing assembly. A bead breaking assembly for deflating an inflated tire may be provided. Methods of operating these and other such apparatus are described.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to securities, preferably exchange traded funds, or ETFs, relating to commodities subject to futures contracts in a commodities market. More specifically, the invention relates to shipping certificates for commodities that dynamically compensate for commodity “roll neutrality” adjustments by altering the quantity of commodity associated with the shipping certificate, as opposed to a cash adjustment. The subject invention also pertains to the underlying “roll neutrality” adjustment related to a commodities market futures transaction and to the resulting ETF valuation as follows: ?PiBi, where Pi is the price of the relevant contract month, Bi is the number of commodity units for that month, and i is the time index.

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to securities, preferably exchange traded funds, or ETFs, relating to commodities subject to futures contracts in a commodities market. More specifically, the invention relates to shipping certificates for commodities that dynamically compensate for commodity “roll neutrality” adjustments by altering the quantity of commodity associated with the shipping certificate, as opposed to a cash adjustment. The subject invention also pertains to the underlying “roll neutrality” adjustment related to a commodities market futures transaction and to the resulting ETF valuation as follows: ?PiBi, where Pi is the price of the relevant contract month, Bi is the number of commodity units for that month, and i is the time index.

Abstract: A harness board fixture with improved mounting features enables better positioning and securing of an automatic cable tie tool to the fixture. The mounting features may be provided on the same side or on opposite sides of an arcuate wire bundle support surface of the fixture. When provided on a same side, multiple mounting or locating features may be located near each other. The opposite side, forming a front of the fixture, may be open to define a readily accessible wire bundle entrance and exit path. The fixture preferably includes a mounting structure for reliably receiving and releaseably holding a push mount by snap-fit and oriented substantially perpendicular to the fixture base or at an angle.

Abstract: A harness board fixture with improved mounting features enables better positioning and securing of an automatic cable tie tool to the fixture. The mounting features may be provided on the same side or on opposite sides of an arcuate wire bundle support surface of the fixture. When provided on a same side, multiple mounting or locating features may be located near each other. The opposite side, forming a front of the fixture, may be open to define a readily accessible wire bundle entrance and exit path. The fixture preferably includes a mounting structure for reliably receiving and releaseably holding a push mount by snap-fit and oriented substantially perpendicular to the fixture base or at an angle.

Abstract: A cable tie installation tool tensions a cable tie about a plurality of elongated objects and severs an excess portion of the cable tie. The cable tie includes a head portion and a tail portion. The tool includes a housing having a blade guard having a front portion and an anvil portion, a tensioning mechanism operatively supported by the housing for tensioning the cable tie to a predetermined tension setting and retaining the cable tie head portion at least partially against the blade guard, and a severing mechanism including a linearly reciprocating blade for severing the excess portion of the cable tie near the head portion once the cable tie has been placed into the predetermined tension setting by the tensioning mechanism. The linearly reciprocating blade passes behind the front portion of the blade guard and in front of the anvil portion of the blade guard.

Abstract: Systems and methods for trading and clearing eroding futures contracts on an exchange. Eroding futures contracts are futures contracts in which the contract size or open position size is determined as a balance remaining on a contract that is finally settled incrementally over time. The contract includes a delivery process that reflects reduction of contract size (e.g., by financial settlement) during the delivery period until no value remains for the contract.

Abstract: An automated sample-on-solid-support processing system includes a treatment solution supply subsystem which feeds solvent to a dispenser to dispense a measured amount of treatment solution to each well of a multi-well plate. The dispenser measures the solution within a fill container having a plurality of reservoir wells corresponding to the number of wells in the multi-well plate. The fill container is contained within a reservoir chamber that is filled with an excess of solution. Each reservoir well is surrounded by a plurality of bores which drains excess solution from the top of the fill container so that a precise amount of solution is left in the reservoir wells when solution is drained out of the reservoir chamber. Gas pressure is introduced into the reservoir chamber to force the solution out of the reservoir well through a bundle of tubes, with one tube per well, and into the wells of the multi-well plate.

Abstract: The present invention is a vocabulary building method that utilizes a vocabulary building exercise that converts common phrases, names, tides, or words into complex and generally not commonly known words (sesquipedalian). By use of definitional clues, the student attempts to determine the meaning of the common phrase, name, title or word thus increasing the student's vocabulary.

Abstract: The present invention describes a wick cutting device, particulary designed to clip the wicks of candles to a specified length. The invention comprises two cylinders, one with a grip and one with a handle. The wick trimmer is assembled as a cylinder inside a cylinder in which the inner cylinder has a steel blade at the bottom. The inner cylinder rotates within the outer cylinder. The wick is cut with a simple twist of the handle.

Abstract: The present inventions is a vocabulary building word game that converts common phrases, names, titles, or words into complex and generally not commonly known words. By use of definitional clues, the player or players attempt to determine the meaning of the common phrase, name, title or word. A player's skill is indicated by the number of clues needed to solve the puzzle. While playing the game, the player(s) are building their vocabularies while having fun.

Abstract: An automated sample-on-solid-support processing system includes a treatment solution supply subsystem which feeds solvent to a dispenser to dispense a measured amount of treatment solution to each well of a multi-well plate. The dispenser measures the solution within a fill container having a plurality of reservoir wells corresponding to the number of wells in the multi-well plate. The fill container is contained within a reservoir chamber that is filled with an excess of solution. Each reservoir well is surrounded by a plurality of bores which drains excess solution from the top of the fill container so that a precise amount of solution is left in the reservoir wells when solution is drained out of the reservoir chamber. Gas pressure is introduced into the reservoir chamber to force the solution out of the reservoir well through a bundle of tubes, with one tube per well, and into the wells of the multi-well plate.

Abstract: An automated sample-on-solid-support processing system includes a treatment solution supply subsystem which feeds solvent to a dispenser to dispense a measured amount of treatment solution to each well of a multi-well plate. The dispenser measures the solution within a fill container having a plurality of reservoir wells corresponding to the number of wells in the multi-well plate. The fill container is contained within a reservoir chamber that is filled with an excess of solution. Each reservoir well is surrounded by a plurality of bores which drains excess solution from the top of the fill container so that a precise amount of solution is left in the reservoir wells when solution is drained out of the reservoir chamber. Gas pressure is introduced into the reservoir chamber to force the solution out of the reservoir well through a bundle of tubes, with one tube per well, and into the wells of the multi-well plate.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for at least semi-automated plant tissue culture propagation comprising: providing plant tissue culture containing a large number of densely packed meristematic areas, automatically separating and thinning the tissue into small clusters of meristematic tissues, bulk transporting the separated tissue aseptically to a separating apparatus wherein the tissue is washed and propagules of substantially uniform size and substantially free of phytotoxic cell debris are obtained, aspetically transporting the propagules to a culture vessel and distributing the propagules on the surface of a culture medium.