Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘Applause Lavender’, characterized by its large, purple and light purple bi-colored flowers; freely flowering habit with flowers positioned above or beyond the foliage; mounded and compact plant habit; dark green leaves; and tolerance to full sun conditions and low night temperatures.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘Applause Purple’, characterized by its large, purple-colored flowers; freely flowering habit with flowers positioned above or beyond the foliage; mounded and compact plant habit; dark green leaves; and tolerance to full sun conditions and low night temperatures.

Abstract: ‘SAVacon’ is a new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant primarily identified by its near white buds opening flat to near white flowers with intense fragrance and its glossy dark green foliage on a compact plants.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘Applause Rose’, characterized by its large, red purple-colored flowers; freely flowering habit with flowers positioned above or beyond the foliage; mounded and compact plant habit; glossy dark green leaves; and tolerance to full sun conditions and low night temperatures.

Abstract: A distinct Dracaena plant named ‘Lemon Surprise’ characterized by its 10 inch long leaves which are elliptic and elongated; lightly-curled leaf-edge; compact plant growth; and distinctive leaves which have a grey-green center (RHS 189B) a width at the center of approximately 1.5 cm; a white (RHS 155C) margin on both sides of the grey-green center which is approximately 0.1 cm wide and a yellow-green (RHS 144B) which are outer margins approximately 1.5 cm wide at the center of the leaf.

Abstract: A new rose variety of the hybrid tea class having long stems; large, bright purple red buds with yellow reverse; large, bright purple red and yellow blended flowers; and a vigorous, upright habit of growth.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant name ‘Doublet Pink’. characterized by its somewhat upright, rounded, uniform, and compact plant habit; small dark greenish bronze leaves; freely branching, dense and bushy growth habit; continuous and very freely flowering habit; showy, fully double pink-colored flowers that are displayed above and beyond the foliage; and tolerance to pathogens common to Begonias.

Abstract: A distinctive cultivar of miniature rose plant named ‘Ruiovat’, characterized by its outwardly spreading growth habit; rapid growth rate; dark green glossy leaves; very freely flowering; large semi-double light salmon-colored flowers that are fragrant; flowers arranged in large sprays; excellent postproduction longevity; and excellent garden performance.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Pentas plant named ‘Mars’, characterized by its uniform and compact plant habit; freely branching habit; numerous purple red-colored flowers; and suitability for container production.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Eurobelle’, characterized by its white decorative inflorescences with green centers; dark green foliage; early response time; and good post-production longevity.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Hibiscus plant named ‘Mathilde’, characterized by its upright plant habit; very freely branching; dense and bushy growth habit; freely flowering habit; and attractive and numerous light lavender-colored flowers.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Aconitum plant named ‘Pink Sensation’, characterized by its upright plant habit; dark green foliage; freely flowering habit; and pink flower color.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Hosta plant named ‘White Triumphator’, characterized by its medium green leaf color; relatively compact growth habit; and white-colored flowers that are positioned above the foliage on strong, straight and erect scapes.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Hosta plant named ‘Karin’, characterized by its green and white variegated leaf color; thick leaves; relatively compact plant habit; and lavender-colored flowers that are positioned above the foliage on strong and erect scapes.

Abstract: A distinct cultivar of Astilbe plant named ‘Flamingo’, characterized by its upright plant habit; rapid growth rate; dark green leaves; very freely and uniformly flowering; and attractive pink-colored flowers.

Abstract: A vegetatively reproduced seashore paspalum cultivar, developed from a segregating seed collection of unknown parentage, is named ‘Sea Isle 1’. It is distinguished by high tolerance to salinity, dark green color, fine textured leaves, and high turf quality and density. These distinguishing characteristics make it particularly suitable as a turfgrass for lawns and golf courses.

Abstract: The present invention is a torque producing apparatus comprising a first member, a second member, and a retention means. The first member has first and second arms, each having first and second ends, and a connection portion adjacent the joined first ends of the first and second arms. The arms have an outer surface and define an axial aperture. The axial aperture defines at least a portion of an inner surface of the arms. The second ends of the arms define an opening between the touter and inner surfaces. At least one of the inner and outer surfaces have a predetermined diameter when the member is in a relaxed state. The second member has a surface arranged to engage in interference fit against at least one surface of the first member when the first member is in its relaxed state. The retention means engages the connection portion of the first member so that the second member rotates relative to the first member upon relative rotation of the second member and the retention means.

Abstract: To accelerate a combustion with an entire combustion chamber including the vicinity of an opening portion for air suction to thereby make uniform a flame propagation in a combustion chamber structure for an internal combustion engine, and to provide a technology for preventing the generation of knocks, a longitudinal sectional shape of a top wall surface of the combustion chamber is in the form of a substantially triangular shape in longitudinal section defined and surrounded by a cylinder head, a cylinder and a piston. A projection is provided on a circumferential edge portion of a top surface of the piston, with a surface, facing the top wall surface of the combustion chamber, of the projection being substantially in parallel with the top wall surface of the combustion chamber. A cutaway portion is formed in the vicinity of at least a portion, facing the intake opening portion, of the projection of the top surface of the piston.

Abstract: A hanger particularly suited for use with garment sets such as a coat and trouser garment set or a coat and skirt garment set. The hanger includes an upper attachment member which is preferably hook shaped for attachment with a closet rod or the like and a main hanger body which is joined with the attachment member and includes an intermediate section and two shoulder sections extending outwardly to opposite sides of the intermediate section so as to support the garment piece that includes shoulders. The invention further includes a pivoting garment holder for the other garment piece in the set. The pivoting garment holder is supported at an upper end by the intermediate section either by an interface section provided at an upper portion of the intermediate section or by a cavity formed in a mid region of the intermediate section.

Abstract: A full flash analog to digital converter operates on an input voltage with a track/hold circuit coupled to a reference input of each of multiple comparators. Particular track/hold circuits are activated in sequence through a track/hold select circuit, and a look-up table and a digital-to-analog converter are coupled to supply corrected reference voltages to each track/hold circuit. Outputs of the comparators are supplied to a decoder which produces the digital output representative of the input voltage. The converter is calibrated before it is used for conversion by sensing the input offset voltages of each of the comparators and by altering the reference voltage for each comparator to produce a calibrated reference voltage for each comparator. A digital representation of the calibrated reference voltage for each comparator is stored in a look-up table for retrieval as needed to supply to a particular track/hold circuit a corresponding calibrated analog reference voltage for a particular comparator.

Abstract: An optical pickup device for condensing the light from a light source on a signal recording surface by an objective lens and for detecting the return light from the signal recording surface by a light detection unit is disclosed. The optical pickup device is capable of recording and/or reproducing at least two different sorts of optical recording media. The light beam radiated from a light source is condensed by an objective lens. An aperture varying unit varies the size of an aperture of the objective lens depending upon the sorts of the optical recording media. The return light from the optical recording medium is detected by a light detection unit. The size of the aperture of the objective lens for condensing the light from the light source is varied depending upon the difference in substrate thickness of the different sorts of the optical recording media, thus assuring high-quality recording/reproduction for two or more different sorts of optical recording media.

Abstract: The present invention provides for faster and stronger tissue-implant bonding by treating a ceramic implant with an ion beam to modify the surface of the ceramic. The surface modification can give the ceramic improved ion-exchange properties depending upon the particular ceramic and the type of ions used. In a preferred embodiment, a bioactive ceramic orthopaedic, dental, or soft tissue implant is bombarded with a beam of cations. When implanted in the body, the surface modification causes an increase in the release of critical ions, such as calcium or phosphorus, from the surface of the ceramic implant, and thereby accelerates implant-tissue bond formation.

Abstract: A transparent substrate and a method of producing the same suitable especially for an optical system for an optical data recording medium using a linearly polarized light as a data reading light such as magneto-optical recording medium drive unit and an optical data recording medium for reading data using a linearly polarized light.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of using the BK enhancer in tandem with a eukaryotic promoter to promote transcription of DNA that encodes a useful substance. The method of the present invention requires the presence of the E1A gene product for maximum expression of the useful substance. The present invention also comprises a number of useful expression vectors that comprise the BK enhancer in tandem with the adenovirus 2 late promoter positioned to drive expression of a variety of proteins, such as protein C, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase, and tissue plasminogen activator. The present invention further comprises a method for increasing the activity of the BK enhancer involving placement of the BK enhancer immediately upstream of the eukaryotic promoter used in tandem with the BK enhancer to drive expression of a useful substance. Furthermore, the present invention also comprises a method for coamplification of genes in primate cells.

Abstract: Hydroxy-substituted azetidinone hypocholesterolemic agents of the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: Ar1 and Ar2 are aryl or R4-substituted aryl; Ar3 is aryl or R5-substituted aryl; X, Y and Z are —CH2—, —CH(lower alkyl)— or —C(dilower alkyl)—; R and R2 are —OR6, —O(CO)R6, —O(CO)OR9 or —O(CO)NR6R7; R1 and R3 are H or lower alkyl; q is 0 or 1; r is 0 or 1; m, n and p are 0-4; provided that at least one of q and r is 1, and the sum of m, n, p, q and r is 1-6; and provided that when p is O and r is 1, the sum of m, q and n is 1-5; R4 is selected from lower alkyl, R5, —CF3, —CN, —NO2 and halogen R5 is selected from —OR6, —O(CO)R6, —O(CO)OR9, —O(CH2)1-5OR6, —O(CO)NR6R7, —NR6R7, —NR6(CO)R7, —NR6(CO)OR9, —NR6(CO)NR7R8, —NR6SO2R9, —COOR6, —CONR6R7, —COR6, —SO2NR6R7, S(O)0-2R9, —O(CH2)1-10—COOR

Abstract: User interface objects are stored in a user interface object archive which is a database physically located in the shared library of an associated application program. In order to facilitate “localization”, or preparation of an application developed in one language for use in an “area” or a locale which uses another language, the user interface objects are stored in a hierarchical locale tree within the archive. All objects are stored in the base or root of the hierarchy, but only those objects which require a translation are stored in an area associated with a more specific locale. At runtime, a complete collection of objects is assembled by starting at the desired locale and proceeding up the hierarchy level-by-level. Translated objects at lower levels of the hierarchy “override” those at higher levels so that the most complete translations of each object are obtained during this search.

Abstract: A lamp dimming system, designed to be added to existing HID fixtures with an absolute minimum of installation time and no external wiring is disclosed. Any existing ballast may be converted to a bi-level device for intelligent energy savings. The modification kit is wired in series with one of the lamp leads to effect both powering of the unit and control of the lamp. All timing and control is on an individual lamp basis so that the lamp temperature stabilization is completed before dimming is attempted. No external wiring, either to power the control unit or to effect control of the lamp dimming is required. Several versions are described. In one version the unit senses an occupant and stops dimming both of itself and other lamps in a network. In another version the unit receives a radio command to dim or brighten, which is inhibited until the initial power up delay sequence is completed. Self powered versions of both receiver and transmitter implementations are included.

Abstract: A shield for removable attachment to an eyeglass frame front having a pair of eyeglass lens holding frames and a pair of pivotal temples for holding said eyeglass lens frames on the head of a user to provide protection on the top, the bottom and the side of the eye. The sideshields are attached to the eyeglass lens holding frames in a detachable manner and are mounted such that they do not interfere with movement of the eyeglass temples so that the temples can be folded or, if they are spring-pivoted temples, can move outwardly a predetermined distance without substantial interference by the sideshields.

Abstract: An articulated device for protecting the knee as well as above-the-knee and below-the-knee leg portions comprises a first part shaped and dimensioned to cup the knee and cradle a small section of the leg above it. A second part forming a greave for the below-the-knee portion of the leg is slidingly connected to a longitudinal plate which is hinged at its top to the lower edge of the first part. An adjustable elastomeric strap biases the second part away from the first part, allowing the two parts to move axially in relation to one another during flexion and extension of the knee, while keeping the device tautly against the leg and knee at all times.

Abstract: A women's sleeved under/outer garment is provided for fitting snuggly over a conventional brassiere (or other undergarment) and for concealing or covering a wearer's arms without adding undue bulkiness about the torso of the wearer. The sleeved under/outer garment may be used to conceal any flabbiness, wrinkles, or age spots that may exist on the arm of the wearer without adding undue bulkiness about the torso of the wearer.

Abstract: A garment for swaddling a baby. The garment includes an elongate shell having an outer surface and an inner surface defining an interior volume for receiving the arms, legs and trunk of a baby therein. The garment also includes a pair of internal restraints positioned inside the interior volume of the shell. Each of the restraints receives one of the arms of the baby to retain the respective arm within the interior volume of the shell.

Abstract: A raincoat-integrated backpack assembly includes a raincoat, and a bag body that confines a main receiving space therein and that has a raincoat retaining pouch which confines a raincoat receiving space therein for receiving the raincoat, a pouch opening for permitting access to the raincoat receiving space, and a closure device for closing the pouch opening. A connecting member is disposed in the raincoat receiving space, and includes male and female interlocking members which are respectively secured to the raincoat and the bag body and which are engageable to each other so as to permit attachment of the raincoat to the bag body.

Abstract: A biodegradable, disposable glove carries a disposable sanitary item in a pocket thereof. The glove includes a glove body, an open end of the glove body having a ziplock securement means, which is operable only when the glove 100 is turned inside out. In use, the glove can be used for dispensing an unused disposable sanitary item and for retrieving the sanitary item for disposal after use. The glove is preferably loose-fitting. In use, the glove is placed over the hand of a user, and the user can then retrieve the used sanitary item such as a tampon or sanitary napkin. Once the tampon or sanitary napkin has been retrieved, the user can manipulate it into a pocket in the glove using only the fingers and thumb of the gloved hand. The pocket includes a ziplock sealing edge feature, which permits sealing-in of the biodegradable or disposable sanitary item into the pocket, so that no fluid leakage occurs during removal and subsequent disposal of the biodegradable, disposable glove.

Abstract: A glove for securing an object in a hand of a user includes a wrist portion, palm portion and an opposite dorsal portion. A thumb sleeve and first, second, third and fourth sleeves extend from the palm and dorsal portions. A clasp is attached to the dorsal portion. A strap has one end connected to at least one of the finger sleeves, and a free second end extending outwardly away from the glove. Hook and loop fastening elements are provided on the strap, wherein the strap free second end extends around the object and through the clasp to enable the engagement of the hook and loop fastening elements to secure the object against the glove palm portion. In an alternate embodiment, the strap may be secured to the dorsal portion only using hook and loop fastening elements.

Abstract: A finger protection device for a musician for preventing injury to the fingertips of a person playing a stringed instrument. The finger includes a glove having palm portion, a back hand portion, a thumb receiving member and a plurality of finger receiving members. The glove has an opening therein for receiving the hand of a user. Each of the finger members includes an end portion. The tips of the fingers of the user are extendable into the end portions such that the end portions cover the tips of the fingers. Each of the end portions comprises an elastomeric material.

Abstract: A head gear apparatus (10) is provided that moves air to cool a caregiver's head. The head gear apparatus (10) includes a helmet (12) that has a shell (114) configured to rest upon a head of a user and a fan housing (120) movably coupled to shell (114), a fan (122) is positioned to lie within fan housing (120) and moves with fan housing (120) relative to shell (114), and a garment (14) selectively coupled to helmet (12). Garment (14) includes a face shield (20).

Abstract: A flexible seat pad for fitting onto the inside crotch portion of a cyclist, the seat pad consisting of a generally convex unitary flexible sheet member, the sheet member defining: a number of pad bulges, integral to the sheet member, the pad bulges being resiliently compressible; and hinge lines, hingedly interconnecting adjacent pairs of pad bulges. The hinge lines assist in enabling said flexible sheet member to conformingly fit onto the inside crotch portion of the cyclist for dynamic comfort of the cyclist during pedalling.

Abstract: An anklet that includes a strap that encircles an ankle of a child, a quick disconnect buckle that is affixed to, and selectively maintains, the strap around the ankle, and a leash that depends from the strap and engages a foot covering worn by the child so as to prevent loss of the foot covering if unintentionally removed. The strap includes an ankle-facing layer that is made of an elastomer with a modulus of elasticity, and an ambient-facing layer that directly overlies the ankle-facing layer and is made of a fabric that has a limited modulus of elasticity so as to prevent the ankle-facing layer from passing the modulus of elasticity thereof and failing. The leash is an endless loop that extends through the foot covering and then extends back through itself, and in so doing, becomes self-fastened to the foot covering.

Abstract: An article of apparel for a foot that covers the forward portion of the foot only does not show above the tops of shoes and enhances fit and comfort of wearing shoes. Such a partial sock, or half sock, is advantageous for uses including wearing with shoes that cover the forward portion of the foot only, such as open-heel and clog-type shoes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to undergarments that have close body fit. The undergarment of the present invention includes an elasticized waistband, a front region, a rear region, a crotch region and a pair of elasticized leg openings. The front and rear regions are preferably elastically extensible in both the longitudinal and lateral directions. The crotch region is disposed between the front and rear regions and has greater resistance to stretching in the longitudinal direction than the front and rear regions. The crotch region is further provided with a longitudinal stretch control member that is disposed along the longitudinal centerline of the undergarment and a plurality of angled stretch control members that extend from the longitudinal stretch control member to the leg elastics at an acute angle to the longitudinal stretch control member.

Abstract: A fully detachable garter system comprises an undergarment, downwardly extending straps releasably secured to the undergarment and to a pair of stockings. The upper ends of the straps include fasteners for releasably securing the straps to the undergarment. The lower ends of the straps include fasteners for releasably securing the straps to a pair of stockings. The fasteners on each end of the straps may comprise hook and pile material, snaps, hooks and eyes, button and buttonholes, button hooks, or other such attachment means. The undergarment and the stockings typically include a smooth edge region for fastening of the straps thereto. In other embodiments, the undergarment may include fasteners positioned on an inner surface of the leg openings so that the fasteners are hidden from view. In still another embodiment, the fasteners on the undergarment may be positioned on an outwardly facing surface and disguised by decorative lace or the like.

Abstract: The present invention includes a floor mounted toilet with a mechanical lift device comprising an adjustable linkage assembly connected between a foot pedal and a torque arm of a torque rod. The torque rod is affixed to the toilet seat to rotate the toilet seat. Applying a pedal force raises the toilet seat to a raised seat angle. A floor mounted base member rotationally supports the foot pedal and rigidly supports a vertical member carrying a pivot plate of the linkage assembly to rotate about a pivotal axis. The initial force to raise the toilet seat is adjusted by changing the first length of an upper rod of the linkage assembly. The raised seat angle is adjusted by the second length of a lower rod of the linkage assembly. The first and second lengths are adjusted by providing length adjusting devices, such as a turnbuckle.

Abstract: A damping device for damping the relative rotation of a rotating member. The damping device includes a casing, a rotor disposed in an interior space of the casing, and a damping mechanism including a viscous liquid disposed in an annular chamber formed between the casing and the rotor. The viscous liquid exerts frictional forces to damp the relative rotation between the rotor and the casing in a first rotation direction but not in the opposite rotation direction, the damping force increasing when the rotor and the casing rotate relative to each other from a first relative angular position to a second relative angular position in the first rotation direction. The casing and the rotor are structure to provide a damping force by impeding the flow of the viscous liquid within the chamber, and to provide another damping force by the contacting of the rotor and the casing. A valve is further provided within the chamber to restrict the flow of the viscous liquid.

Abstract: A plumbing device for a basin drainage includes a pushbutton, a spring, a positioning sleeve, a probe and a seal that is connected to the probe. The pushbutton is able to control the movement of the seal to selectively communicate the inlet and the valve receiving channel. A moving chamber is movably received in the pressure chamber to control the communication between the pressure release path and the passage of the cap. The accumulated pressure in the pressure chamber is able to be released by pushing the pushbutton so as to generate a large force into the drainage with the suction cup securely engaged with the periphery of the drainage.

Abstract: A plunger device for unblocking a clogged drain or pipe, comprises a valve housing interposed between a handle and a suction cup; a valve seat having an opening for communicating the cup with the housing; a fluid outlet formed in the housing to provide a fluid path to the outside of the device; a valve ball positioned in the housing to close said opening of the valve seat and said fluid outlet when said ball is positioned on the seat, a bolt moveable in said housing to abut said ball for locking the ball between the bolt and said seat, thereby causing fluid under pressure to flow in one direction-into the clogged drain, the bolt being movable away from said ball to unlock the ball and open said fluid outlet, said ball moving freely inside the valve housing when said ball is unlocked, thereby enabling fluid to flow in the opposite direction only—out from the clogged drain; and switch means associated with the bolt and lock and unlock the valve ball when clearing the clogged drain.

Abstract: A toilet cabana having a removable container is disclosed. The cabana has a door for ingress and egress of the user and comprises a surrounding enclosure for privacy. The removable container receives waste from the user and comprises a top opening for receiving the waste and an opposite bottom opening. The container holds a removable bag therein. The bag has opposite first and second open ends that are releasably closable. Waste may be emptied from the container either by opening the bottom opening of the container and the open second end of the bag while the bag remains within the container or by removing the bag entirely from the container.

Abstract: A valve assembly (23) for use with automatic swimming pool cleaners which is arranged in a skimmer and in series with the suction pipe (22) to the pool cleaner. It includes a branch passage provided with a biased pivoting flap valve (31) opening in accordance with the pressure demands in the system to relieve pressure and provide constant suction to the cleaner and permits the skimming action of the skimmer to continue whilst the swimming pool cleaner is operating. The bias is provided by a coil or leaf spring or an arcuate compression coil spring located substantialy within the passage. Two flap valves (optionally with different surface areas and spring constants) may be provided and optionally angled to the passage when closed. Hinge pins of the flap may snap fit into open sided sockets in the branch passage wall.

Abstract: Lower region of a cylindrical nozzle stem is longitudinally slotted to provide flexible tines and the tines have outwardly projecting lands at their distal ends. The flexibility of the tines permits the nozzle stem to be force filled into and through a ribbed region of a surrounding retainer. Further, the flexible tines permit a cylindrical metal weight, and a weight cover to be slipped over the lower end of the nozzle stem to be held in place by the lands on the tines. No separate fasteners nor adhesives are required to hold the assembly together.

Abstract: A device for removing spa covers and storing them, while the spa in use, and returning them to cover the spa after use. This invention takes a different approach to the mounting requirements for the system hardware. Most notable, all weight of the covers and lifter are ground level mounted, no attachment is made to the spa.