Abstract: A furniture piece including a base and a backrest pivotally connected to the base. An attachment component is positionable or movable between an engaged position locking the backrest in an upright position and a disengaged position allowing the backrest to move towards a folded position. A seat portion is pivotally connected to the base, and pivotally movable with respect to the base between an open position and a closed position. With the backrest in the folded position, the furniture piece may be placed within a box and shipped and/or stored in a volume-efficient manner.

Abstract: A chair includes a seat portion; a backrest surrounding at least a portion of the seat portion; and a base removably positioned beneath the seat portion. The base preferably includes tapered sidewalls that correspond with the backrest when the base is inverted and placed on the seat portion. In such a nested position, the disassembled chair may be efficiently shipped and stored in polyhedral boxes with angled side walls, that may be stacked and alternatingly inverted to take advantage of the angled sidewalls of such boxes.

Abstract: An external tray arrangement for a refrigerator or freezer cabinet, of the type presenting a horizontal upper wall (10). According to the invention, the upper wall (10) is provided with a plurality of holes (12), each lodging and retaining an internally threaded tubular retaining means (20); a tray (30) inferiorly incorporating tubular projections (31), each having a lower end seated on the upper wall (10) of the cabinet (G) in alignment with a respective tubular retaining means (20); and a screw (40) seated on the tray (30), passing through each tubular projection (31) and presenting a threaded portion engaged with the thread of the respective tubular retaining means (20), retaining the tray (30) seated on the upper wall (10) of the cabinet (G).

Abstract: A firmware update method. First, a tag is written to a firmware storage device. Next, first firmware in the firmware storage device is replaced by second firmware. If the replacing step is successful, the tag is deleted. Before the execution of the second firmware, a verification operation is executed. If the tag is not present, the second firmware is executed. If the tag is present, an abnormity processing procedure is executed. The abnormity processing procedure terminates of execution of the second firmware, reads third firmware via an interface, and replaces the second firmware with the third firmware.

Abstract: A data extraction method for extracting data from an optical disc with multiple sessions. First, the method reads TOC (Table of Contents) areas of sessions of an optical disc to recognize the sessions with non-repeated addresses of the optical disc. Finally, the method extracts data from the non-repeated sessions of the optical disc.

Abstract: Methods for facilitating and supporting the metabolism and transport of glucose and carbohydrates into muscle cells are taught. Preferably, the methods include the step of administering a composition of bio-active compounds further including 4-hydroxyisoleucine and one or more amino acids selected from the group consisting of arginine, aspartate, threonine, serine, glutamate, proline, glycine, alanine, cysteine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, ornithine, lysine, histidine, and gamma-aminobutyrate. In one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bio-active compounds are extracted from fenugreek seeds. The methods of the present invention preferably include a composition of bio-active compounds with between about 10% and 70% of 4-hydroxyisoleucine and between about 20% and 40% of the amino acids.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for promoting weight management are taught by the present invention. Preferably, the methods include the step of administering a composition of bio-active compounds further including 4-hydroxyisoleucine and one or more amino acids selected from the group consisting of arginine, aspartate, threonine, serine, glutamate, proline, glycine, alanine, cysteine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, ornithine, lysine, histidine, and gamma-aminobutyrate. In one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bio-active compounds are extracted from fenugreek seeds. The methods of the present invention preferably include a composition of bio-active compounds with between about 10% and 70% of 4-hydroxyisoleucine and between about 20% and 40% of the amino acids.

Abstract: A compact disk (CD) recording end address compensation method is disclosed herein. The recording end address of the original recording session is compared with the recording start address of the second recording session. If two recording sessions are overlapped or staggered, the non-informational area such as pre-gap or Lead-out area is shortened or extended for compensate the mismatch. The invention makes it possible to ensure the desirable data be recorded without missing any piece.

Abstract: A safety syringe includes two major components; a barrel and a plunger; a needle hub engaged with the barrel and a plunger slid ably received in the barrel to engage with the needle hub and to retract the needle hub into the barrel. A V-shape groove formed a thin membrane surround the needle hub. The V-shape groove separates the needle hub and the barrel into two peripheries—an inner periphery of the barrel and an outer periphery of the hub. The inner periphery of the barrel and the outer periphery of the hub are thicker than the thin membrane. Multiple pyramidal blocks extended from the outer periphery of the hub facing outward to the barrel. Multiple triangular cutouts with V-shape groove edge defined in the inner periphery of the barrel respectively correspond to one of the multiple pyramidal blocks.

Abstract: A safety syringe includes two major components; a barrel and a plunger; a needle hub engaged with the barrel and a plunger slid ably received in the barrel to engage with the needle hub and to retract the needle hub into the barrel. A V-shape groove formed a thin membrane surround the needle hub. The V-shape groove separates the needle hub and the barrel into two peripheries—an inner periphery of the barrel and an outer periphery of the hub. The inner periphery of the barrel and the outer periphery of the hub are thicker than the thin membrane. Multiple pyramidal blocks extended from the outer periphery of the hub facing outward to the barrel. Multiple triangular cutouts with V-shape groove edge defined in the inner periphery of the barrel respectively correspond to one of the multiple pyramidal blocks.

Abstract: A decorative light bulb includes an outer surface forming a decorative shape and one or more inert gases inserted within the decorative light bulb to create ethereal electrical arcing having a first color. A surface feature is formed along the outer surface and a coating is applied on an inner surface of the surface feature. As a result of the coating, ethereal electrical arcing is formed having a second color along the inner surface of the surface feature.

Abstract: A method for improving data accuracy and data flow of a disc servo system to read data on a disk. First of all, a read mode of the disc servo system is determined. If the read mode is an audio/video play mode, a first read procedure to read the data on the disk is executed. If the read mode is a document read mode, a second read procedure to read the data on the disk is executed. The second read procedure is different from the first read procedure. Finally, the data is output to further processes.

Abstract: A consumer electronic apparatus includes at least a clock, and in some cases a microprocessor, which produces data, such as time-of-day or control parameters, which are stored in volatile memory. A power failure can cause this data to be lost. The data are stored in nonvolatile memory according to an algorithm during normal operation, so that they are available after a power failure. In one version, the parameters are stored at fixed intervals. In another version, the parameters are stored in response to a change. In yet another version, the parameters are stored in a manner which is distributed among plural memory locations to extend life.

Abstract: An etch processor for etching a wafer includes a chuck for holding the wafer and a temperature sensor reporting a temperature of the wafer. The chuck includes a heater controlled by a temperature control system. The temperature sensor is operatively coupled to the temperature control system to maintain the temperature of the chuck at a selectable setpoint temperature. A first setpoint temperature and a second setpoint temperature are selected. The wafer is placed on the chuck and set to the first setpoint temperature. The wafer is then processed for a first period of time at the first setpoint temperature and for a second period of time at the second setpoint temperature.

Abstract: Cleaning apparatus having multiple wash tanks for washing articles in a carbon dioxide dry cleaning system employing a liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution are provided. Cleaning apparatus having multiple wash tanks of the present invention may provide improved thermodynamic efficiency by allowing carbon dioxide vapor to be transferred between wash tanks rather than condensed. Cleaning apparatus having multiple wash tanks of the present invention may have a lower capital cost than multiple cleaning systems having single wash tanks. Cleaning apparatus having multiple wash tanks of the present invention include a first wash tank for contacting a first article with liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution, and a second wash tank for contacting a second article with liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution. The second wash tank is in fluid communication with the first wash tank. Methods of utilizing such cleaning apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: Cleaning apparatus having multiple wash tanks for washing articles in a carbon dioxide dry cleaning system employing a liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution are provided. Cleaning apparatus having multiple wash tanks of the present invention may provide improved thermodynamic efficiency by allowing carbon dioxide vapor to be transferred between wash tanks rather than condensed. Cleaning apparatus having multiple wash tanks of the present invention may have a lower capital cost than multiple cleaning systems having single wash tanks. Cleaning apparatus having multiple wash tanks of the present invention include a first wash tank for contacting a first article with liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution, and a second wash tank for contacting a second article with liquid carbon dioxide cleaning solution. The second wash tank is in fluid communication with the first wash tank. Methods of utilizing such cleaning apparatus are also provided.