Abstract: A lifting mechanism for a storage bin is positioned in a cabinet having a countertop. The lifting mechanism has a base adapted to be supported in the cabinet, a moveable member operably connected to the base, a support member connected to the moveable member, and a storage bin supported by the support member. The moveable member is moveable between a first position, wherein the storage bin is adapted to be positioned within the cabinet, and a second position wherein the storage bin is raised such that the storage bin is adapted to be positioned out of the cabinet. When the storage bin is raised, a top of the storage bin is adapted to be positioned proximate the countertop.

Abstract: The puck-deflector is a one-piece moulding in polyurethane, having a sloping apron for deflecting the puck up and into the net. The puck-deflector fits around the bottom pipe of the goalframe, and prevents incoming pucks from striking the bottom pipe, and rebounding back out over the goal-line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to seals and, in particular, to a seal that retains lubrication between the interface of a spline shaft and a sleeve shaft, which move relative to each other. The seal body has a flexible body with an axis and alternating projections and recesses aligned with the axis. A wiper element on at least one of the rows of projections and alternating recesses includes a tapered surface extending away from the axis, and an engagement face substantially perpendicular to the axis and adjoining the tapered surface.

Abstract: Clam shell-type blow mold apparatus has a pair of opposed upper mold halves that cooperate to define a partial blow cavity. A one-piece bottom mold portion that completes the blow cavity is locked up against the top mold portion by a locking assembly to prevent separation of the bottom mold portion from the top mold portion during the high pressure blow cycle. The locking assembly includes a support ring for the bottom mold portion that has a number of radially outwardly projecting male lugs adapted to fit into female receiving notches on opposed halves of a lock ring on the upper mold portion. Individual ledges at the bottoms of the notches underlie the lugs of the support ring when the mold halves are fully closed so as to preclude separation of the support ring, and thus the bottom mold portion, from the lock ring and the upper mold portion. The notches in the support ring are interposed between pairs of bolt holes in the lock ring.

Abstract: A method of automated sleep behavior modification for insomnia and other sleep problems using a computerized treatment system including: determining a baseline sleep pattern of a user and storing in the system data indicative of the baseline sleep pattern; generating a sleep behavior regimen based on the stored sleep pattern data and a behavior modification algorithm, wherein the algorithm generates sleep inducement behavior prompts; prompting the user to perform a predetermined sleep inducement behavior at a time determined by the regimen; tracking the sleep behavior of the user and storing data indicative of the tracked sleep behavior; modifying the regimen based on the tracked sleep behavior, and prompting the user to perform the predetermined sleep inducement behavior at a time determined by the modified regimen.

Abstract: Dry powder inhalers for dispensing pharmaceutical grade formulations of inhalable dry powder include: an inhaler housing having a mouthpiece associated therewith; and a slidably extendable forward member that is movable between retracted and extended positions, held by the inhaler housing adjacent the mouthpiece. In the extended position, the forward member extends outward a distance beyond a forwardmost portion of the mouthpiece, and in the retracted position, a forwardmost portion of the forward member is positioned rearward of the forwardmost portion of the mouthpiece with an access portion of the mouthpiece accessible by a user.

Abstract: Dry powder blister packages include sealed blisters with a piezoelectric active layer that flexes to vibrate the dry powder in a blister to facilitate active dispersion.

Abstract: Dry powder inhalers with a multi-dose dry powder package for dispensing pharmaceutical grade formulations of inhalable dry powder, include: (a) a blister package comprising a plurality of spaced apart sealed blisters thereon, each blister having a projecting ceiling and a floor defining a blister channel therebetween, the blister channel comprising a dry powder therein; (b) a movable blade cartridge holding a blade at a forward portion thereof; and (c) an extendable mouthpiece attached to the movable blade cartridge. In operation, a user pulls the mouthpiece outward and then pushes the mouthpiece inward to cause the blister package to advance to position a blister in a selected dispensing position in the inhaler and to cause the blade cartridge to move the blade across a blister ceiling held in the dispensing position in the inhaler to thereby open the blister held in the dispensing position.

Abstract: A miniature optical system for use in instruments based on laser spectroscopy of atomic and molecular samples, such as atomic frequency standards and magnetometers. The miniature optical system employs a folded optical path that allows light from a laser diode to pass through the cell twice, reflecting from a mirror and returning to a photodetector co-located with the laser diode. This efficient packaging arrangement allows the laser diode and photodetector to be fabricated on the same semiconductor substrate and allows essentially all of the gas cell volume to be utilized, without additional optical components for collimation. Fabrication of the laser source and detector on a single substrate permits cost-effective batch processing and parallel testing of the key active components.

Abstract: A system including piezoelectric material wherein a force exerted on the piezoelectric material is determined by subjecting the piezoelectric material to an input signal of sweeping frequency and evaluating the response of the piezoelectric material to the applied signal.

Abstract: The puck-deflector is a one-piece moulding in polyurethane, having a sloping apron for deflecting the puck up and into the net. The puck-deflector fits around the bottom pipe of the goalframe, and prevents incoming pucks from striking the bottom pipe, and rebounding back out over the goal-line.

Abstract: Optical isolation device (10) optically couples and electrically isolates various components on a local source circuit (36) from components on a remote isolated circuit (30). Light source (12) is coupled to opto-electrical detector (16) and opto-electrical sensor (20) is coupled to optical signal generator (18) by optical channel (14). The opto-electrical detector (16) is electrically coupled to remote isolated circuit (30) which is powered by the electricity generated by opto-electrical detector (16) in response to being impinged upon by light (22). Remote isolated circuit (30) is also electrically coupled to optical signal generator (18) which generates optical signals (32) in response to electrical signals received from remote isolated circuit (30). Opto-electrical sensor (20) produces electrical signals in response to being impinged upon by optical signals (32). Thus, remote isolated circuit (30) is completely electrically isolated from, but in communication with and powered by, local source circuit (36).

Abstract: Optical isolation device (10) optically couples and electrically isolates various components on a local source circuit (36) from components on a remote isolated circuit (30). Light source (12) is coupled to opto-electrical detector (16) and opto-electrical sensor (20) is coupled to optical signal generator (18) by optical channel (14). The opto-electrical detector (16) is electrically coupled to remote isolated circuit (30) which is powered by the electricity generated by opto-electrical detector (16) in response to being impinged upon by light (22). Remote isolated circuit (30) is also electrically coupled to optical signal generator (18) which generates optical signals (32) in response to electrical signals received from remote isolated circuit (30). Opto-electrical sensor (20) produces electrical signals in response to being impinged upon by optical signals (32). Thus, remote isolated circuit (30) is completely electrically isolated from, but in communication with and powered by, local source circuit (36).

Abstract: A remote control system includes beds, remote controls, and a master station in communication with the beds and the remote controls. Each bed is adapted to receive requests from a patient associated with the bed, and each remote control is adapted to present requests to a caregiver associated with the remote control. The master station is adapted to receive a nurse call request from a patient via a bed, to identify a remote control that is associated with a caregiver for the patient, and to transmit the nurse call request to the remote control identified as being associated with the caregiver for the patient.

Abstract: Inhibitors for matrix metalloproteases, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and a process for using them to treat a variety of physiological conditions. The compounds of the invention have the generalized formula (T)xA—B—D—E—G wherein A is an aryl or heteroaryl rings; B is an aryl or heteroaryl ring or a bond; each T is a substituent group; x is 0, 1, or 2; the group D represents the group E represents a two or three carbon chain bearing one to three substituent groups which are independent or are involved in ring formation, possible structures being shown in the text and claims; and the group G represents and with the proviso that when G is each of the substituents on E is an independent substituent; and include pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Abstract: A system including piezoelectric material wherein a force exerted on the piezoelectric material is determined by subjecting the piezoelectric material to an input signal of sweeping frequency and evaluating the response of the piezoelectric material to the applied signal.

Abstract: A system including piezoelectric material wherein a force exerted on the piezoelectric material is determined by subjecting the piezoelectric material to an input signal of sweeping frequency and evaluating the response of the piezoelectric material to the applied signal.

Abstract: A system for determining the location of a patient on a support. The system includes a first and second sensor coupled to a patient's support surface and being at least laterally spaced. A first load signal from the first sensor has a first sensitivity greater than a second sensitivity of a second load signal from the second sensor. A determination circuit receives a first and second load signals and provides an indication of the location of the patient on the support surface from a comparison of the sum of the load signals to a selected value.

Abstract: Mixed chain alkyl (alkyl glycosid) uronates as nonionic surfactants are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and means for using ground water in an aquifer as a heat source and heat sink are disclosed wherein heat is exchanged between the uniform temperature ground water and heat-exchanging apparatus at the earth's surface through a single well bore. The ground water is exchanged between an upper and lower portion of the aquifer, alternatively depending on the operating mode, in such a manner that a stratified lateral flow of the water after heat exchange is produced following natural convective paths in the top or bottom of the aquifer and resulting in wide laminar dissipation of the altered temperature water while avoiding thermal mixing between that water and the remaining uniform temperature water in the aquifer. This manner of exchange provides a continuous flow of heating or cooling water at or near the ambient aquifer temperature without any depletion of the aquifer.