Abstract: A wireless handset including an antenna array. The antenna array includes an active antenna element and two passive antenna elements. The active and passive antenna elements are arranged to form a triangle with a vertex. The vertex includes a vertex angle and the active antenna element is disposed at the vertex. The vertex angle is between 90 degrees and 180 degrees.

Abstract: A lighter-than-air aircraft includes a gas envelope for containing a buoyant gas, and a propulsion system is carried by the gas envelope. A solar panel is carried by the gas envelope for powering the propulsion system when generating sufficient power. A closed loop combustion generating system is also carried by the gas envelope for powering the propulsion system when the solar panel is not generating sufficient power. The fuel for the closed loop combustion generator is regenerated by the solar panel from its exhaust when the solar panel is generating sufficient power.

Abstract: The invention relates to phosphites comprising substituted or unsubstituted tricyclodecylmethyl groups. The phosphites may also contain substituted and unsubstituted alcohols having about C6–C18 carbon atoms. The alcohol chain may be aliphatic, arylakyl and alkylaryl groups. The method of making of the phosphite composition is also described.

Abstract: The cutout bit includes a first bit segment configured to be free of flutes. The cutout bit also includes a second bit segment extending from the first bit segment at a first location. Moreover, the cutout bit includes a third bit segment extending from the second bit segment and terminating in a tip. In addition, the cutout bit includes a first flute extending along only the second bit segment. The cutout bit also includes a second flute extending along both the second bit segment and the third bit segment. The second flute extends from the first location to the tip.

Abstract: A small light source for internally illuminating live flowers and other products is formed in the shape of a pin with a battery case operatively connected to the light source. A sharp penetrating tip surrounds the light source and is fixed to a rigid tube for manipulating the device to insert the light source within the structure of the plant. The device is of such a size that it can be supported by a plant without deformation of the plant.

Abstract: A lighter-than-air aircraft includes a gas envelope for containing a buoyant gas, and a solar panel is carried by a predetermined portion of the gas envelope. A solar sensor is used for determining a direction of the sun. A propulsion system carried by the gas envelope orients the gas envelope so that the solar panel is oriented in the direction of the sun based upon the solar sensor. A navigation controller cooperates with the propulsion system to move the lighter-than-air aircraft along a desired flight path while the solar panel is oriented in the direction of the sun.

Abstract: An article of clothing has a front and back, each of which has a layered structure, including a protective layer for impeding the flow of liquid through the article of clothing, and an absorbing layer external to the protective layer, for absorbing the liquid and slowing its flow downward on the exterior surface of the article of clothing, with the force of gravity, a lining for facilitating the donning and removal of the article of clothing, and sleeves and a collar that is closeable, to protect the wearer's neck area and upper arms from deposits of liquid on the wearer's upper shoulder and chest areas.

Abstract: There is disclosed an addressable advertising system comprising: 1) receiver circuitry for receiving an incoming television signal from an external source, generating a original baseband video signal, and transmitting the original baseband video signal to a display associated with the addressable advertising system; 2) a local storage device coupled to the receiver circuitry for storing a plurality of replacement video advertisements; and 3) an advertisement controller coupled to the receiver circuitry and the local storage device for detecting a first swap control signal transmitted in the incoming television signal. In response to the detection of the first swap control signal, the advertisement controller causes the receiver circuitry to receive from the local storage device a first selected replacement video advertisement from which the receiver circuitry generates a replacement baseband video signal and transmits the replacement baseband video signal to the display.

Abstract: An antenna array that uses at least two passive antennas and one active antenna disposed above a ground plane, but electrically isolated from the ground plane, and a respective resonant strip positioned beneath each passive antenna. The passive antenna elements are positioned about the active element, and each of the at least two passive antenna elements is individually set to a reflective or a transmissive mode to change the characteristics of an input/output beam pattern of the antenna apparatus.

Abstract: The thixotropic composition of the instant invention may be cured to a more or less rigid form without the use of a mold. The shaped thixotropic composition includes one of the two components which when combined result in chemiluminescent light. The cured solid is useful in a variety of environments and will emit chemiluminescent light upon addition of a second chemiluminescent component.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a simple, hand-held, disposable device and a kit used to decorate and enhance the presentation of food. The device creates decorative shavings of food items of a desired thickness and curl. Particularly, the device creates decorative shavings of food items of a uniform, aesthetically pleasing design in a safe, effective and economical manner while being able to retain and store any unshaved portion of the food item therein.

Abstract: The invention discloses a stabilized resin composition comprising a thermoplastic resin and a stabilizing benzimidazole based additive compound. In a second embodiment, the invention discloses a method to make a stabilized composition comprising a benzimidazole based stabilizing compound and a resin, said method comprising mixing said benzimidazole based stabilizing compound with said resin.

Abstract: An antenna array formed on a deformable dielectric material or substrate includes a center element and plurality of radial elements extending from a center hub. In the operative mode, the radial elements are folded upwardly into an approximately vertical position, with the center element at the center of the hub and the radial elements circumferentially surrounding the center element. In one embodiment the center element serves an active element of the antenna array and the radial elements are controllable in a directive or reflective state to effect a directive beam pattern from the antenna array. When not in use, the antenna elements are deformed into a plane and can therefore be integrated into a housing for compact storage. In a phased array embodiment, the center element is absent and the plurality of radial elements, are controllable to steer the antenna beam.

Abstract: A directional antenna having a number, N, of outlying monopole antenna elements. These monopole elements are formed as a first upper conductive segment on a portion of a dielectric substrate. The array also includes the same number, N, of image elements. The image elements are formed as a second set of lower conductive segments on the same substrate as the upper conductive segments. The image elements, generally having the same length and shape as the monopole elements, are connected to a ground reference potential. To complete the array, an active antenna element is also disposed on the same substrate, adjacent to at least one of the monopole elements. In a preferred arrangement, the passive monopole elements and corresponding image elements are selectively connected to operate to in either a reflective or directive mode, such as via a switchable coupling circuit that selectively changes the impedances connected between them.

Abstract: The invention relates to phosphites comprising substituted or unsubstituted tricyclodecylmethyl groups. The phosphites may also contain substituted and unsubstituted alcohols having about C6-C18 carbon atoms. The alcohol chain may be aliphatic, arylakyl and alkylaryl groups. The method of making of the phosphite composition is also described.

Abstract: The invention discloses a stabilised resin composition comprising a thermoplastic resin and a stabilizing benzimidazole based additive compound. In a second embodiment, the invention discloses a method to make a stabilized composition comprising a benzimidazole based stabilising compound and a resin, said method comprising mixing said benzimidazole based stabilising compound with said resin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the preparation of sterically hindered acid esters, e.g., organic phosphites, comprising contacting a sterically hindered hydroxyl-containing compound with an acid halide in the presence of an acid acceptor selected from the group consisting of: 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene (DBN), 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP), 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), or mixtures thereof, wherein said an acid acceptor is present in an amount sufficient to drive the reaction to completion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the preparation of sterically hindered acid esters, e.g., organic phosphites, comprising contacting a sterically hindered hydroxyl-containing compound with an acid halide in the presence of an acid acceptor selected from the group consisting of: 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene (DBN), 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU), 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP), 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO), or mixtures thereof, wherein said an acid acceptor is present in an amount sufficient to drive the reaction to completion.

Abstract: An article of clothing has a front and back, each of which has a layered structure, including a protective layer for impeding the flow of liquid through the article of clothing, and an absorbing layer external to the protective layer, for absorbing the liquid and slowing its flow downward on the exterior surface of the article of clothing, with the force of gravity, a lining for facilitating the donning and removal of the article of clothing, and sleeves and a collar that is closeable, to protect the wearer's neck area and upper arms from deposits of liquid on the wearer's upper shoulder and chest areas.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for queuing and presenting audio messages in a communication system comprising an audio controller and audio message computer software. The audio controller receives overlapping audio messages that have portions that have been simultaneously received by the audio controller. The audio controller separately stores the audio messages in a queue in an audio buffer and then sequentially plays the messages. The audio controller may delay playing an audio message for a predetermined period of time or until the audio controller receives a control signal from a user. The user may select an audio message to be played from a list that displays the names of the senders of the audio messages. The audio controller may obtain a timestamp from a video program and associate an audio message to be played with the video program.