Abstract: The penetration or absorption of water, oils, collagen, and other materials into the hair is greatly increased by adding a small quantity of inorganic charged colloidal silica to provide an aqueous suspension of the charged colloidal silica particles along with the material to be absorbed into the hair. In coloring hair, dye components can be absorbed into the hair without the use of alkaline solutions which damage the hair, and in perming hair, the disulfide bonds in the hair can be broken by tension caused by swelling due to water absorption in the hair, again without the use of damaging alkaline solutions. It is believed that the porosity and stable hydration of the hair can be varied through altering the electrostatic charge on the hair. The aqueous suspension of charged silica particles applied to the hair appears to alter this charge.

Abstract: The effectiveness and/or hydrating ability of body care compositions, such as moisturizers, skin creams, body lotions, shampoo, hair conditioner, styling gel, styling mist, hair dye, bath additives, pedicure and manicure products, facial cleanser, facial mist, suntan lotions, and sunscreen lotions, are enhanced by the addition thereto of an aqueous suspension containing small concentrations of colloidal silica. The colloidal silica particles are charged and of a size between about 10 angstroms and 100 angstroms. An aqueous solution of colloidal silica particles is prepared by circulating the solution through a magnetic field so that the particles cut the field flux lines and build up a net negative charge thereon. It is preferred that the solution be passed through a magnetic void after passing through a magnetic field to allow the particles to configure themselves without the influence of external magnetic fields.

Abstract: A device and a method for suppressing nerve cell action potentials is provided. An octapolar magnetic device is disposed near a mammalian sensory neuron so that the magnetic field generated by one quadrapolar face of the device is symmetrically disposed about the neuron. The magnetic device is comprised of four magnetic bodies, each having two opposite magnetic poles. Two positive and two negative magnetic poles are disposed substantially in a single plane and to define the four vertices of a quadrilateral shape, the two positive poles defining two diagonal vertices, and the two negative poles defining the opposite two diagonal vertices of the quadrilateral shape. A housing is provided to hold the magnetic bodies in a fixed relative position and thus maintain the quadrilateral orientation of the poles.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having a sole construction comprising a heel plenum configured to accommodate the tuberosity of the calcaneous of the heel of the user, a forefoot plenum preferably having a plurality of interconnecting plenum members configured to accommodate a corresponding plurality of metatarsal heads of the forefoot of the user, both plenums being preferably filled with cushioning material and compressed air and being interconnected by passageways for the controlled flow of air back and forth between the plenums during wearing of the shoe.

Abstract: Beverage brewing and/or warming systems benefit from water treatment and, in some cases, the elimination or reduction of the amount of AC heat heretofore provided for such devices. Water treatment is provided in the present invention by using magnetic treatment or electromagnetic treatment by direct injection in the fluid stream or a combination of such water treatment systems. Treatment preferably occurs prior to mixing of the heated brewing fluid and the beverage powder, but improved brewing also results from treatment at the discharge side of the brewing container, e.g. the discharge of a filter holder. Improved taste and a reduction in the amount of coffee used to obtain a desired taste level results from such treatment, and the holding qualities are also improved. The bitter taste resulting from extend holding periods can be minimized or eliminated. Magnetic treatment may employ a multi-magnet concept to create sharp field boundaries, or other magnetic water treatment devices.

Abstract: A magnetic water treatment device for the treatment of water in a non-ferrous pipe is provided. The device is constructed of an elongated aluminum housing which supports two permanent bar magnets oriented such that the positive pole of one magnet is oriented to one end of the device and the positive pole of the other magnet is oriented to the other end of the device. The magnets are so housed in the aluminum die-cast housing so that they lie parallel and directly opposing one another across the non-ferrous pipe.

Abstract: A self-contained cooling device for use in a container such as a food container to cool the contents of the container at any desired time includes a reservoir containing pressurized fluid. The reservoir is secured to the inside of the container to form an expansion chamber between the reservoir and the container. A tube communicates with the reservoir and extends into the expansion chamber, the tube normally being closed to prevent escape of pressurized fluid from the reservoir. When it is desired to cool the contents of the container the tube is opened so that pressurized fluid from the reservoir expands into the expansion chamber thereby cooling the expansion chamber, reservoir, and contents of the container.