Abstract: A self-contained respiratory apparatus, including a blower delivering a gas, a headgear integrated with the blower to support a respiratory interface, and a sensor embedded in the headgear and mounted to deliver data to a microprocessor integrated with the blower, the blower being controlled through the response of the sensor and the control of the microprocessor to support the respiratory interface through the headgear.

Abstract: A low profile CPR mask shaped to fit under the face mask of a victim allows immediate emergency ventilation without requiring the helmet be removed. The mask may be molded to fit ergonomically to a rescuer's palm and be pliable upon the application of moderate force to obtain a tight-fitting mask seal against the victim's face.

Abstract: A ventilation interface and system is described which can be adapted to be connected to a source of ventilation. The ventilation interface and system includes an exhaust port positioned at a midpoint between at least two ventilation connectors. The ventilation interface system may optionally include feed tubes, y-connector, tube holder, and headgear.

Abstract: Pharmaceutical depots and methods for screening patients to identify good candidates for implantable infusion device therapy are described. A pharmaceutical depot is placed in a target region of a patient of a pharmaceutical depot configured to release a therapeutic agent in a manner similar to what would be achieved by an implantable infusion system, e.g. small amounts over a period of time. Following depot placement, the patient can be evaluated to determine whether at least one symptom of a disease or general quality of life has improved. If an improvement results, the patient is identified as a good candidate for receiving an implantable infusion device to deliver the therapeutic agent to the target region to treat the disease.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing a soft tissue site, and augmenting the soft tissue site, such as the breast(s) of a subject through use of devices that exert a distractive force on the breast(s) and grafting of autologous fat tissue such as domes with sealing rims for surrounding each of the breasts and a regulated pump. The method for preparing the soft tissue site, and enhancing fat graft results, entails application of the distracting force to the targeted soft tissue site for several weeks prior to the graft procedure. A related aspect of the invention includes following the preparation steps by transfer of fat from other areas of the subject to the subject's breast(s), and then reapplication of the distractive force to the breast(s) that received the autologous fat graft. Alternatively, fat from genetically related sources may be used, and the fat may be further processed prior to injection.

Abstract: A method for repairing pulmonary air leaks in a lung residing in a chest cavity and having an intake air stream and an outer surface is disclosed. An exemplary method comprises: introducing a first component of a biphasic sealant component as a liquid into the intake air stream of the damaged lung; ensuring that there is a pressure differential between the intake air stream and the outer surface of the lung; and introducing a second component of a biphasic sealant component into the chest cavity. The first sealant component collects at the air leak site and forms a sealant in combination with the second sealant component.

Abstract: A centring drum for filter assembly machines, the centring drum having external axial seats movable with the centring drum about a longitudinal axis of rotation, and for receiving respective double filters, at least some of which are offset laterally, along the relative seats, with respect to a central transverse reference plane; each seat housing a respective stop member movable with the relative seat about the longitudinal axis of rotation, and located on a respective side of the reference plane to define a centred position of the relative double filter, and a push device for moving the relative double filter axially onto the relative stop member; the stop members defining a first and a second succession of stop members, which are located on opposite sides of the reference plane and are both connected to a position adjusting device movable about the longitudinal axis of rotation and for moving the two successions equally and oppositely along the longitudinal axis of rotation.

Abstract: We are presenting a new device for holding cigars, which can also be used for many other purposes. It has a very flexible design and can be converted for new applications very easily. It is very sturdy and durable.

Abstract: A cigarette has a wire running lengthwise through the tobacco. A section of the wire may project from the end of the cigarette to be lit, and such section can be provided with an abutment which contacts this end of the cigarette.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-surgical, natural looking hair replacement, i.e., a wig, designed to duplicate a women's hair loss area. The wig is either a ¾ cap or a full cap, designed with polyurethane reinforced areas that allow the wig to be adjusted to fit the average women's head size. The wig is made using different base materials in different sections to accommodate different types of knotting procedures and quantities of hair and hair direction. The different sections and materials used help depict natural hair growth and aid in comfort and fit. The color choices represent the most popular shades found in nature and high end dramatic color selections. The hair replacement of the present invention has between five (5) to fourteen (14) different hair color shades blended into each color selection so that light may be reflected and give a variety of shade and tone differences. This color blend gives the hair replacement for women of the present invention the most natural look.

Abstract: An applicator for the application of a product on a surface includes a base having a passage to connect a container holding the product to a distribution orifice of the base. A plurality of teeth are provided with each of the teeth having a free end and an end firmly attached to the base, and with the teeth projecting from the periphery of the distribution orifice such that at least one of said teeth includes an elbow between the free end and the end firmly attached to the base so as to form a reducer of the flow of product leaving the orifice.

Abstract: A composition and method for simultaneously lightening and coloring hair. The composition generally consists of three components, specifically, a bleaching composition, an oxidizing composition and a dyeing composition. The composition preferably lightens hair color by a plurality of levels and simultaneously deposits tones that are attractive and long lasting. In a preferred embodiment, the bleaching composition is a powder composition based on silicate and/or carbonate salts and/or persulfate salts of ammonium, potassium or sodium. The persulfate bleaching composition can be ammonia-free, if desired. The oxidizing composition is preferably an anhydrous hydrogen peroxide solution, or another source of oxygen. The bleaching composition can be mixed with the oxidizing composition to form an anhydrous creme that is applied to the hair.

Abstract: An apparatus for substantially minimizing injury and hazards in using hand-held hair styling appliances comprises a spring mechanism disposed between opposing handles of a hand-held hair styling appliance, a normally-open power activation switch recessed within an interior surface of a first handle of the hand-held hair styling appliance, this switch being disposed in a circuit for connecting electric power supply to heating elements of a rapid-heating hand-held hair styling appliance, and a substantially rigid pin protruding from an interior surface of a second handle of the hand-held hair styling appliance, this rigid pin positioned opposing and mating with the power switch such as to create heating only when the handles are drawn together into the use position.

Abstract: A hair clip comprises first and second elongate members moveable between open and closed configurations. One of the first and second elongate members mounts a plurality of notches, and the other of the elongate members mounts a plate, the plate and the plurality of notches being disposed laterally of one another, and in the closed position the plurality of notches are adjacent and substantially overlap the plate. In use hair is located between the first and second elongate member and the plate which serves to press the hair into the notches.

Abstract: A viscous cosmetic product that realizes smooth application thereof to application target areas and that prevents liquid dripping thereof onto a surface of a viscous cosmetic substance container and is free from stickiness at use thereof, enabling clean use thereof. A viscous cosmetic substance containing 1.0 to 10.0 wt % of silicic anhydride is accommodated in a tubular accommodation part. A front edge wall of the accommodation part is furnished with one or more distribution ports for the viscous cosmetic substance, and an application face is provided outside the front edge wall. Furthermore, the accommodation part thereinside is fitted with an inner tray that enables pressing the viscous cosmetic substance accommodated in the accommodation part so as to enable the viscous cosmetic substance to be pushed outward through the distribution ports.

Abstract: To provide an applicator in which an application core does not become shaky or unstable even if force in a lateral direction is applied to an application portion of the application core during use, an applicator is provided with a container (1) having an accommodation portion (101) to accommodate a liquid material (10), and an application core (2) supported by a leading end inner portion of the container (1) from an outside and having a communication hole (23) communicated from an inside of the accommodation portion (101) and extending toward a leading end side, the container (1) has a guide tube (102) guiding the liquid material (10) toward a leading end side from an inside of the accommodation portion (101) to be inserted fitly to the communication hole (23) from a rear side, and the application core (2) is supported by the guide tube (102) from a rear side.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method to clean a surface. The method includes at least partly liberating contaminants from the surface with a contaminant liberating device, and capturing the contaminants that have been at least partly liberated with a contaminant removal device, the contaminant removal device generating at least one optical trap to trap the contaminants that have been at least partly liberated. Embodiments of the invention also provide a device manufacturing method, a method to clean a surface of an optical element, a cleaning assembly and cleaning apparatus, and a lithographic apparatus.

Abstract: A dishwasher operates to sense the need for a drain or purge operation based on dynamic characteristics of a respective washing operation such that an adaptive system is defined. In accordance with the invention, washing fluid used to spray clean kitchenware being washed is filtered and soil from the kitchenware is collected. When the filtering system becomes clogged, a flow signal is established to indicate the need for at least a partial drain operation. Most preferably, this arrangement is used in combination with signals from a turbidity sensor, as well as pump motor current signals, to provide an comprehensive, dynamically adaptive control system.

Abstract: Kits comprising a melamine/formaldehyde resin sponge and a detergent composition comprising: (i) a surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants and combinations thereof; and (ii) a C1-6 mono- or poly-hydric alcohol, are described along with methods for cleaning hard surfaces therewith.

Abstract: A dish washer and a controlling method of a dish washer are provided. The dish washer supplies cold water for lowering the temperature within a tub after a rinse cycle is performed.

Abstract: Conveyor-type dish washer and method of operating it, wherein during a final-rinse operation at least from one side, preferably from each the two sides, of the items to be cleaned, at least two final-rinse liquid spray jets are sprayed in different directions in relation to each other, wherein at least one final-rinse liquid spray jet is inclined in the direction of the movement of a dish carrier and at least another final-rinse liquid spray jet is inclined against the direction of the movement of the dish carrier.

Abstract: A wet-processing apparatus for processing substrates is provided. The wet-processing apparatus for processing substrates includes a conveyor type cleaning system and a spinner type wet-processing unit connected to the conveyor type cleaning system. In an embodiment of the present invention, the wet-processing apparatus further includes a cassette station for storing the substrates and a robot installed in the cassette station, wherein the substrate is delivered from the cassette station to the conveyor type cleaning system by the robot. The wet-processing apparatus mentioned above has excellent process uniformity, low consumption of the chemical, good cleaning ability, and low substrate broken frequency.

Abstract: A dishwasher is provided that allows oxygenating gases, especially ozone, to be effectively used at least for cleaning and disinfecting. An oxygenating gas is added to the rinsing liquor or the crude water and/or the washing container for use in a partial program cycle having a cleaning effect, e.g. the “cleaning” cycle, in order to be able to use the gas at least for cleaning and disinfecting.

Abstract: The invention provides a handheld rotary accessory (10) which includes an accessory body (12), and a water driven turbine (16) mounted on the accessory body (12); the water driven turbine (16) having a turbine wheel (20) mounted for rotation about a turbine wheel rotational axis (22), and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced turbine wheel blades (46) each of which has a radially inner edge and a radially outer edge. The accessory (10) also includes a turbine feed water arrangement which includes a feed water inlet (18) which is connectable to a pressurised water supply and a nozzle (50) connected in flow communication with the feed water inlet (18), the nozzle (50) being positioned radially inwardly of the radially inner edges of the blades (46). The invention extends to a method of rotatably driving a utility accessory which forms part of a handheld rotary accessory.

Abstract: A method and self assembled monolayer (SAM)-containing compositions for removing bulk and hardened photoresist material from microelectronic devices have been developed. The SAM-containing composition includes at least one solvent, at least one catalyst, at least one SAM component, and optionally a surfactant. The SAM-containing compositions effectively remove the hardened photoresist material while simultaneously passivating the underlying silicon-containing layer(s) in a one step process.

Abstract: A dishwasher is provided. The dishwasher includes a tub, a door, and a condenser. The tub forms a wash compartment within. The door selectively opens and closes the tub. The condenser suctions moist air from within the tub and air from outside the tub, mixes the suctioned air, and exhausts the mixed air to the outside.

Abstract: A dish washer is provided. In the dish washer, a tub forms a cleaning chamber, and a sump is disposed at a lower portion of the tub and stores wash water. An injection nozzle injects the wash water stored in the sump into the cleaning chamber. A water guide guides the wash water from the sump to the nozzle. A first coupling mechanism is used to couple a portion of the water guide to the sump. A second coupling mechanism is used to couple another portion of the water guide to the sump.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for cleaning electronic, audiovisual and computing equipment display screens and keyboards comprising a main body (1), a display screen cleaning head (21), a first extraction/retraction mechanism suitable for extracting and/or introducing the display screen cleaning head (21) into said main body (1), a brush (43) and a second extraction/retraction mechanism suitable for extracting and/or introducing the brush (43) into said main body (1). The first extraction/retraction mechanism preferably comprises an extractable arm and a head support (23) rotatable about the outer end of the extractable arm, and the brush (43) is shaped to allow its insertion between the keys of the keyboard.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dishwashers, and more particularly, to a dishwasher which enables effective use of a tub space dishes are placed thereon, and easy mounting of a motor to a sump. The dishwasher in one aspect of the present invention includes a tub for placing dishes to be washed therein, a sump for holding washing water to wash the dishes in the tub, and a motor having a rotor and a stator for generating pumping force to pump the washing water from the sump to the tub, wherein the stator of the motor has a concentrated winding. The dishwasher in another aspect of the present invention includes a tub for placing dishes to be washed therein, a sump for holding washing water to wash the dishes in the tub, the sump having a shaft hole, and guide pieces projected outward, and a motor for generating pumping force to pump the washing water from the sump to the tub, the motor having guide holes for receiving the guide pieces on the sump.

Abstract: The present umbrella includes conventional umbrella structures such for a spring loaded self opening umbrella but may be fashioned using other well known umbrella structures but preferably includes a hollow, water tight umbrella shaft. A rain collector cup for receiving rain water is mounted at the upper end of the preferably hollow umbrella shaft. The rain collector cup drains into the hollow umbrella shaft. A flexible rain tube sized to seal with the inside surface of the umbrella shaft is positioned to channel rain water around any perforation or latch mounted in the umbrella shaft. A rain gauge receptacle located at the lower end of the umbrella shaft receives rain water from the umbrella shaft. The rain gauge receptacle is preferably removable for dumping accumulated rain water, transparent and graduated with markings for indicating the amount of rainfall.

Abstract: The invention provides an umbrella for attachment to a stroller that is large enough to protect the caregiver wheeling the stroller, carriage, or wheelchair from rain, wind and precipitation. The umbrella is wind proof, and attaches to the stroller by clamping its central shaft to the stroller. A counterweight is attached to the handle end of the central shaft. The umbrella has a double layered canopy that allows wind to pass through without inverting the umbrella, and may have a telescoping shaft to permit it to be stored compactly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a positioning apparatus of a collapsible umbrella, which includes a runner composed of a connector and a receiver being placed around a shaft having several tubes. A positioning apparatus is provided in a top tube of the shaft, which includes a rod connecting with a bow. The bow will be inclined outward to engage with the connector for positioning the runner and the umbrella in stable as the umbrella is opened. The bow has its bottom end an arched convex being placed in the receiver that facilitates user to close the umbrella more conveniently.

Abstract: A walking stick includes a shank, a handle, a housing, and a control circuit device. The control circuit device includes a circuit board, a gear unit, a rocker lever, a generating motor, a storage battery, a lighting circuit, a warning circuit, a sounding circuit, and a charging circuit. Thus, the walking stick can provide an illuminating effect, a video warning effect, an audio warning effect and a recharging function. In addition, the user only needs to swivel the rocker lever to drive the generating motor to generate an electric power which is stored in the storage battery unit, so that the walking stick can generate an electric power manually without having to replace any battery, thereby facilitating the user operating the walking stick outdoors.

Abstract: A self-standing, orthopedic knee crutch includes an ambidextrous cushioned knee pad attached to an upper end of a vertical support member that employs centerline distribution loading to transfer the weight of a user onto a plurality of horizontal legs that distribute a user's weight. Each horizontal leg includes an elastomer tip for increasing a coefficient of friction between the knee crutch and the ground surface to minimize sliding or slipping. An adjustable, rotatable handle extends upward and away from the vertical support member to aid in supporting the weight of the user.

Abstract: A portable concealment apparatus for providing outdoor camouflage cover to a user thereof includes a flexible fabric panel member and a plurality of support members operatively attached to the fabric panel member. Each of said support members includes a hollow lower tube, a connector attached to a top portion of the lower tube, and an upper pole that passes through the connector and fits slidably and telescopically within the lower tube. The upper pole is independently adjustable by a user relative to the lower tube for each support member, so that in an installed configuration of the apparatus, the effective height of the panel member is independently adjustable at each support member.

Abstract: The rail skirt system includes a top rail, a skirt that hangs from the top rail, formed from rail bar members connected together at their inner ends by a middle connector tube connectable to a locking support leg, to provide support for the top rail on a side of a shelter. The outer ends of the rail bar members are connected to legs of the shelter by fixed corner connecting brackets.

Abstract: The collapsible shelter includes a truss and canopy framework that permits a flexible, collapsible canopy to be moved between a raised position and a lowered position. The collapsible shelter includes at least three legs supporting flexible poles removably mounted to the tops of the legs and forming the framework of the canopy. X-shaped truss pairs of link members are connected to each of the legs on each side of the shelter between adjacent legs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide structures. For example, in one embodiment comprises a single support pole and a fabric covering. The single support pole comprises first and second hollow end members, each hollow end member comprising a first end having a fitting configured to engage with a fastener, and a second end configured to engage with an interior member, a plurality of hollow interior members each having two ends, and an elastic member having first and second ends, wherein the elastic member extends through the interior of each of the plurality of hollow interior members. The fabric covering comprises at least two fasteners, wherein the fabric covering is configured to be coupled to the support pole such that the fabric shell forms at least one wall and a roof for the structure, and wherein the fabric shell is configured to be coupled to the ground.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present subject matter includes an apparatus with a first housing portion which is thermally conductive and which has a first case opening; a second housing portion which is thermally conductive and which has a second case opening, the second case opening being hermetically sealed to the first case opening, with the first housing portion and the second housing portion at least partially defining an interior volume; cardiac rhythm management electronics disposed in the interior volume; a thermal shunt disposed in the interior volume; and a thermoelectric energy converter disposed in the interior volume and adjacent the thermal shunt, the thermoelectric energy converter having a first pole and a second pole, with the first pole thermally connected to the first housing portion, and the second pole thermally connected to the shunt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a light source integrated photovoltaic module. The light source integrated photovoltaic module comprises: a light-transmitting photovoltaic cell having a front surface and a back surface; and a light source provided on the back surface side of the photovoltaic cell. The photovoltaic cell generates electric power by utilizing incident light from the front surface side, the light emits light by utilizing the electric power generated by the photovoltaic cell. The light emitted from the light source is transmitted through the photovoltaic cell and outputted to the front surface side of the photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A frame assembly is provided for a solar module. The frame assembly includes a plurality of frame members that are structured to collectively support and hold a first solar panel. At least one of the plurality of frame members is structured to adjoin a frame member of a second solar module in forming a joining with the frame member of the second solar module over a length where the frame member of the first and second solar module adjoin.

Abstract: A concentrating solar collector that utilizes a solar collector optical system to concentrate solar light onto a PV cell (image plane), wherein the solar collector optical system includes an array of first optical elements that divide the solar light into separate beams, and a secondary optical system that integrates (superimposes) the separate beams in a defocused state at the image plane, thereby forming a uniform light distribution pattern on the PV cell. The secondary optical system is positioned at a distance from the aperture plane, whereby the rays of each separate beam leaving the secondary optical element are parallel. The image plane (PV cell) is located at the back focal point of the second image element, whereby all of the separate beams are superimposed on the PV cell in a defocused state. Optional intervening third optical elements are used to increase the acceptance angle.

Abstract: Disclosed are fixed solar-electric modules having arrays of solar concentrator assemblies capable of separately tracking movements through one or two degrees of rotational freedom to follow the movement of the sun daily and/or seasonally. The concentrators can include optical elements to direct and concentrate light onto photovoltaic and/or thermoelectric receivers for generation of electric current.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides photovoltaic cells that utilize a mesh electrode on at least one exposure side of the photovoltaic cell. Preferably, the mesh electrode is a metallic mesh. In one embodiment, the invention provides dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) having a wire mesh exposure side electrode and a photovoltaic material comprising a photosensitized interconnected nanoparticle layer. In one embodiment, the wire mesh electrode functions as the cathode of the DSSC. In another embodiment, the wire mesh electrode functions as the anode of the DSSC. In addition, embodiments are provided where wire mesh electrodes are used for the anode and the cathode of a DSSC.

Abstract: A shingle having butt and tab portions is provided, wherein the tab portions are exposed when applied to a roof, and wherein active photovoltaic element(s) appear on portions only of the tab portions of the shingles, wherein adjacent zones of the tab portions of the shingles to which the photovoltaic element(s) are applied are free of active photovoltaic elements. The shingles are applied to a roof or a major portion of a roof, laid up in courses so that exposed tab portions of next-overlying courses cover unexposed butt portions of next-underlying courses, leaving photovoltaic elements exposed. In an array of shingles on a roof, the photovoltaic elements are distributed substantially uniformally. The surface ornamentation of the exposed surfaces of the photovoltaic elements may be either complementary to the exposed surfaces of the shingles not having photovoltaic elements thereon, or may blend with such zones not having photovoltaic elements thereon.

Abstract: The thermoplastic resin composition (Xi) of the present invention comprises (A1), (B1), (C1), and optionally (D1) below: 1 to 90 wt % of an isotactic polypropylene (A1); 9 to 98 wt % of a propylene/ethylene/?-olefin copolymer (B1) containing 45 to 89 mol% of propylene-derived structural units, 10 to 25 molt of ethylene-derived structural units, and optionally, 0 to 30 mol% of C4-C20 ?-olefin-derived structural units (a1); 1 to 80 wt % of a styrene-based elastomer (C1); and 0 to 70 wt % of an ethylene/?-olefin copolymer (D1) whose density is in the range of 0.850 to 0.910 g/cm3, wherein (A1)+(B1)+(C1)+(D1)=100 wt %.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a highly reliable photoelectric converter having a reflective layer, deterioration in output characteristics thereof being suppressed under a constant temperature and humidity environment. The photoelectric converter according to the present invention has at least one thin film silicon-based photoelectric conversion unit mainly composed of a silicon-based thin film including at least one semiconductor junction, characterized in that the photoelectric converter has a silicon alloy layer containing a kind of dopant for determining a conductivity type, oxygen, nitrogen, and crystalline silicon on a side opposite to a light incident side of the thin film silicon-based photoelectric conversion unit, and that the silicon alloy layer has a refractive index of at most 2.5 and a nitrogen concentration in a range of 1×1021 atom/cc to 1 to 1022 atom/cc.

Abstract: In a dye-sensitized solar cell comprising a first electrode having a photoelectric conversion layer, a second electrode disposed so as to oppose the first electrode, and electrolyte filled at least in between the first electrode and second electrode, the first electrode is constructed with a plurality of first electrode layers disposed superposed in a direction that opposes to the second electrode.

Abstract: According to a method for controlling the air volume in a closed pneumatic spring system of a vehicle, an air-powered pump supplies at least two pneumatic springs and/or a compressed air reservoir with a specific air volume as needed such that the air pressure prevailing in the respective pneumatic spring and/or the compressed air reservoir is at a level which causes a vehicle body resting on the pneumatic spring to be positioned at a desired distance from the roadway or the vehicle axle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve body and condensate holding tank flushing system and method for use in a delayed coker operation.