Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Northern Highbush blueberry plant is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from crossing the blueberry variety known as ‘Nui’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,699) and an unnamed seedling selection called 1386 (not patented). The fruit of this new variety has an attractive appearance characterised by outstanding fruit quality with a good bloom and good firmness; the plant has a characteristic upright habit, good architecture and attractive foliage. The new variety has been named ‘Hortblue Poppins’.

Abstract: ‘EUC78’ is a distinctive variety of Eucalyptus cladocalyx, which is characterized by its combination of red purple foliar coloration including immature and intermediate leaves, stems and bark. ‘EUC78’ has use as an ornamental tree in landscape and amenity horticulture and as cut foliage for the floral industries.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid of hardy Hibiscus plant named ‘Pink Elephant’ producing a multitude of large, flat, pink flowers with small maraschino cherry red eye and light rose veining on large plants over at least 12 weeks during the summer and early fall.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Jasoda White’, characterized by its compact, upright, outwardly spreading and rounded plant habit; freely branching habit; dense and full plant habit; uniform, freely and early flowering habit; and decorative-type inflorescences with white-colored ray florets.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Ensete plant characterized by striking strongly variegated red leaves and excellent vigor.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Astilbe plant named ‘Little Vision in Pink’, characterized by its compact, upright and strong plant habit; strong, healthy and dark-colored foliage; freely and uniformly flowering habit with narrow inflorescences positioned above the foliar plane; dark pink-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Astilbe plant named ‘Purple Rain’, characterized by its compact, upright and outwardly spreading plant habit; strong dark-colored foliage; freely and uniformly flowering habit with inflorescences positioned above the foliar plane; purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

Abstract: A new and distinct Echinacea plant named ‘Coral Reef’ characterized by medium large, dark orange to coral ray florets, enlarged coral red disc florets forming an anemone-type inflorescence, well-branched flower stalks, and excellent vigor.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Salvia named ‘WENDY'S WISH’ that is characterized by medium to high density, strong rigid stems, bright pink flowers, and red-bronze calyces. In combination these traits set ‘WENDY'S WISH’ apart from all other existing varieties of Salvia known to the inventor.

Abstract: A tag has an in-mold graphic plate portion with a slot therein. Extending outwardly from the plate portion is an extension or tongue that has a neck and locking tip. The locking tip has an aperture adapted to receive a lock. The neck of the tongue is flexible such that the locking tip is received by and extends through the slot.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine system comprises: a dehydrogenation reactor which performs a dehydrogenation reaction to separate organic hydride-contained fuel into hydrogen and dehydrogenated fuel; supply means which supplies separated hydrogen and dehydrogenated fuel individually to the internal combustion engine; and control means which switches the operation of the internal combustion engine between a first mode in which both hydrogen and dehydrogenated fuel are supplied to the internal combustion engine and a second mode in which only hydrogen is supplied to the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A charging apparatus for a portable rechargeable electronic device is described. The charging apparatus contains a substantially flat conductive surface for receiving the electronic device placed thereon. Small conducting nodules of the device mate with the conductive surface to charge a rechargeable battery of the device. Charging may commence upon placement of the device. The surface may contain a positive and a negative electrode. The surface may have lips placed around the perimeter to form a tray like structure. Synchronization with a host system and the device may occur wirelessly.

Abstract: A DC-to-DC converter includes one or more power switches, a pulse width modulation circuit for generating control pulses for the power switches, and an output inductor connected to the power switches. A thermally compensated current sensor is connected to an intrinsic current sensing element exhibiting a temperature-based parameter non-linearity. The thermally compensated current sensor has a temperature coefficient that substantially matches a temperature coefficient of an intrinsic power converter element used to measure current flow, thus linearizing the current measurement. Also, a current feedback loop circuit cooperates with the pulse width modulation circuit to control the power switches responsive to the thermally compensated current sensor.

Abstract: To provide an electro-optical device and an electronic apparatus capable of maintaining the display quality by preventing brightness unevenness without widening a frame in a mounting terminal portion connection portions connecting to a fourth power source bus line are provided in two places. Driving current is supplied from the connection portions to the fourth power source bus line. The width of the fourth power source bus line is smaller than that of the width of a power source bus line supplying driving current from one place of the mounting terminal portion.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display module includes a liquid crystal display panel having a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a pair of substrates, an illuminating device disposed behind the liquid crystal display panel, an upper frame, and a lower frame. The upper and lower frames fix therebetween the liquid crystal display panel and the illuminating device as an integral unit in cooperation with each other. The upper frame is provided with at least one recessed portion in a sidewall thereof, the at least one recessed portion is set back in a direction parallel with major surfaces of the substrates from the sidewall, and a bottom of the at least one recessed portion is provided with a tapped hole adapted for engagement with a screw for mounting the liquid crystal display module to external equipment.

Abstract: A read-only data storage and retrieval device is presented having no moving parts and requiring very low power. Addressing can be accomplished sequentially where the address increments automatically or can be accomplished randomly. High density storage is achieved through the use of a highly symmetric diode matrix that is addressed in both coordinate directions; its symmetry makes the Dual-addressed Rectifier Storage (DRS) Array very scaleable, particularly when made as an integrated circuit. For even greater storage flexibility, multiple digital rectifier storage arrays can be incorporated into the device, one or more of which can be made removable and interchangeable.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing food and for keeping it warm and moist comprising a substantially water impermeable pouch that bounds an insulated food warming chamber, the pouch having opposing substantially coextensive lips capable of being moved apart for providing passage to the warming chamber and for providing a partial vapor lock for inhibiting moisture from building up in the warming chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discriminating bottle types, for stirring the toner, and for detecting the amount of toner remaining in the toner bottle. A toner bottle is adapted to fit the apparatus for discriminating toner bottle types, and a toner bottle is adapted for the apparatus for stirring toner. The genuineness of the toner bottle product is checked by sensing a rib assumed to be formed with a predetermined length on the outer surface of the toner bottle. Toner is stirred by continuously rotating the toner bottle in forward and reverse directions. The toner bottle can be easily rotated in the forward and reverse directions by sensing the rib of the toner bottle by using the sensor. Since the load of rotation of the toner bottle changes in accordance with the amount of remaining toner, the rotational speed of the toner bottle is sensed by using the sensor to check whether toner is close to empty.

Abstract: Triglyceride oils having unsaturated fatty acid substituents are modified to convert sites of unsaturation to C-2 to C-10 diesters. The resulting derivatives are characterized by thermal and oxidative stability, have low temperature performance properties and are environmentally-friendly. They have utility as hydraulic fluids, lubricants, metal working fluids and other industrial fluids. The triglyceride oils are most easily prepared via epoxidized vegetable oils which are converted to the diesters in either a one- or two-step reaction.

Abstract: A new method for the detection and correction of environmentally induced functional interrupts (or “hangs”) induced in computers or microprocessors caused by external sources of single event upsets (SEU) which propagate into the internal control functions, or circuits, of the microprocessor. This method is named Hardened Core (or H-Core) and is based upon the addition of an environmentally hardened circuit added into the computer system and connected to the microprocessor to provide monitoring and interrupt or reset to the microprocessor when a functional interrupt occurs. The Hardened Core method can be combined with another method for the detection and correction of single bit errors or faults induced in a computer or microprocessor caused by external sources SEUs.

Abstract: A body form-fitting rainwear is provided. In the rainwear a first waterproof layer comprises a polymer material treated with an oleophobic composition to form an air permeable polymer material. The first waterproof layer couples to a first fabric layer. The first fabric layer faces the body and couples to a first side of the first waterproof layer. A second fabric layer couples to a second side of the first waterproof layer. A stretch knit couples to the second fabric layer, the stretch knit being constructed to pull the rainwear to the body. The first waterproof layer, first fabric layer, second fabric layer and stretch knit are formable about a human body and are constructed to accommodate one or more human appendages. The rainwear may for example form a shirt, pant, underwear, long underwear, hat hood or one piece body suit.

Abstract: An interior shell component is in a generally hemispherical configuration. The interior shell component has a lower edge forming a generally circular equatorial opening. The interior shell component has a front and rear with sides. The rear has a generally oval-shaped hole. An exterior do-rag component is essentially coincident with the interior shell component. A tail has an upper end above the hole. The tail is formed as an extension of the exterior do-rag component. An adjustment strap is formed in the rear of the interior shell component and the exterior do-rag component.

Abstract: A garment with fringes includes a pocket for securing a fringe, and a retraction cord terminating in a ring encircling the fringe for pulling the fringe into the pocket during a time when a freely hanging fringe is to be avoided. Preferably, an entrance to the pocket is provided with a circumferential resilient stiffening device to facilitate entry of the fringe into the pocket, and the entrance may be provided also with a closure, such as a snap, to prevent the fringe from falling out of the pocket. The entrance may be provided also with a closure, such as a snap, to prevent the fringe from falling out of the pocket. A tether may be provided attached to the ring to facilitate a pulling of the ring out of the pocket for the resumption of normal deployment of the fringe.

Abstract: The invention provides a panty realizing easy fit of a sanitary napkin for night use to a crotch portion, preventing the napkin from shifting out of position, alleviating digging into the crotch portion, and thus being comfortable to wear without giving feeling of constriction to the wearer. The panty includes a front part, a back part, a crotch part provided so as to bridge between the front part and the back part, a slightly elastic member is provided at the substantially center area of the back part, a highly elastic member is provided from a back parts lifting member to the entire area of the front part except for the waist hold part, a fixing member is provided on the substantially center area of the front part, a crotch lifting member is provided at the substantially center area of the crotch part.

Abstract: A protective helmet is described comprising: an outer layer (1); an inner layer (5) for contact with a head of a wearer; and an intermediate layer (3, 4) comprising an anisotropic cellular material comprising cells having cell walls, the anisotropic cellular material having a relatively low resistance against deformation resulting from tangential forces on the helmet. The anisotropic material can be a foam or honeycomb material. The foam is preferably a closed cell foam. The helmet allows tangential impacts to the helmet which cause less rotational acceleration or deceleration of the head of the wearer compared to helmets using isotropic foams while still absorbing a significant amount of rotational energy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooling device such as a blind head cooling helmet which will fully cover the head contour plus the area of the eyes, cheeks, and ears, having an lid arrangement with internal air ducts. An air pump generates and pushes small volumes of slow pace moving air, so that it be transferred to the blind head cooling helmet via an “C” shaped tube, to all the internal air duct, and finally escaping through the bottom of the lid arrangement, not without before the resulting air bubbles crashing against some areas of the internal layer creating a therapeutic effect or relaxing comfort to areas of the face.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shoulder pad for use in a contact sport, such as football, hockey or lacrosse. The shoulder pad includes a pair of arch members, each having an upper portion, a front portion depending from the upper portion, and a rear portion depending from the upper portion. The shoulder pad further includes at least one side pad assembly having an epaulet and a shoulder cap, wherein the shoulder cap overlies the wearer's shoulder region and the epaulet overlies both the arch member and the shoulder cap. The side pad assembly is operably secured to the body arch member by a fastening assembly that includes a flexible single band. Unlike conventional designs, the single band secures both the epaulet and the shoulder cap to the upper portion of the arch member. The shoulder pad further includes a pair of interior pad assemblies wherein each interior pad assembly is removably connected to an arch member.

Abstract: System for creating a liquid motion in a pool comprising: a means for introducing intermittently a gas into the liquid a gas flow means adapted for increasing the pressure of the gas, said increase resulting in gas flow and a control means for controlling the flow of the gas at the end opening of the end piping assembly at least in function of the height of the liquid.

Abstract: The inventive rotating gantry system consists of a welded tubular track tube which establishes a circular overhead track under which the rotating gantry rotates. There is a longitudinal elongated beam or support bar which extends beyond the periphery of the rotating gantry at both ends. The longitudinal elongated beam is rotating beneath the gantry by a four wheel cluster of rollers which surround the circular overhead track and run thereon. The elongated longitudinal beam has a moving trolley running there along and the moving trolley has attached thereto a vertical post which at a bottom thereof has a patient pick-up or transfer device. The rotating gantry can be suspended from a ceiling, be self-supporting or be attached to walls of a room be way of extendable extensions attached to the rotating gantry.

Abstract: A playpen includes a top frame, pairs of supporting legs in which the supporting legs of each pair have top ends connected to the top frame at two spaced apart positions and bottom ends extending toward each other, and a fabric enclosure having a lower portion and an upper portion which is attached removably to the top frame. A fixing device includes a plurality of fixing plates adapted to be fixed to the fabric enclosure and each having an engaging hole, and a plurality of foot members each having top and bottom ends, a plate-receiving hole opening at the top end and extending downwardly for insertion of a corresponding fixing plate, two leg-receiving holes for insertion of the bottom ends of one pair of the supporting legs, and a tongue for engaging detachably the engaging hole disposed within the plate-receiving hole.

Abstract: A stackable wire core assembly for a bedding foundation which may be nestably stacked with numerous other such assemblies for transportation, thereby avoiding the need to compress and tie the assembly for shipping. The wire core assembly includes an upper wire grid, including a border wire and support wires extending between the ends of the border wire. Each support wire has resilient portions extending downwardly from the plane of the upper wire grid, each resilient portion having a flat bottom adapted to be secured to a wooden base frame and curved arms extending upwardly from opposed ends of the flat bottom.

Abstract: A pinch-preventing unit for bed guardrail includes a guardrail, a bed frame, and an actuating unit. The actuating unit is provided with a gap cover, which is located at a lower edge of the guardrail to close a gap existed between the lower edge of the guardrail and a top of the bed frame when the guardrail is in a lifted position for use, so as to ensure the safety use of the guardrail.

Abstract: A mattress cover for covering a portion of a mattress that generally has a top surface and a plurality of side panels. The mattress cover generally comprises a waterproof cover, a fabric cover and at least one fastener to secure the fabric cover to the waterproof cover. The waterproof cover has at least one waterproof layer or portion for covering at least a portion of the top surface of the mattress. The at least one waterproof layer or portion has a plurality of edges. The fabric cover is removably securable to the waterproof cover.

Abstract: A bed frame comprises a lower support structure having a head end and a foot end and a carriage arranged for translational movement on the lower support structure. An upper support structure is mounted on the carriage. The upper support structure includes a seat and an upper body support section pivotally connected thereto. A support arm is pivotally connected between the lower support structure and the upper body support section. An actuator is connected to the lower support structure. A lever arm is connected between the actuator and the carriage. Application of force from the actuator to the lever arm moves the carriage on the lower support structure while applying a lifting moment to the upper body support section. The support arm is arranged such that movement of the carriage toward the head end of the lower support structure also produces a lifting moment on the upper body support section.

Abstract: According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a mat for facilitating infant development is disclosed. The mat may include a base portion, a support member, and at least one gripping member. The mat may include a texture pattern defined on the surfaces thereof. The mat may encourage development of the infant's cognitive abilities, tactile perception, fine motor skills and strengthening of the infant's core muscles.

Abstract: A tear and fatigue resistant gels, gel composites, and gel articles including collapsible articles having two or more communicating internal volumes like cavities when depressed by external pressure or force is capable of collapsing unto itself in a controllable and directionally preselected manner by venting static air within said internal through openings in said gel article, said gel of said article having rigidity of from about 20 gram Bloom to about 1,800 gram Bloom suitable for cushioning, cushioning composites, cushioning gel liners, cushioning composite gel liners, and other uses of selected shape gels, gel composites, and articles.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to a method and system of receiving information of a user's support facility comfort requirements; using a software application to determine a proper support facility firmness configuration to match the user's requirement; selecting foam springs with the proper user required firmness as determined by the software application; and configuring the selected foam springs within the support facility to match the user's firmness requirements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus to be used as an alternative infant mattress having a curved top surface which is formed based on a curve comprising a segment of sine wave and a segment of tail line. The segment of sine wave preferably consists of a partial wave crest and a full wave trough. The length of the apparatus is preferably identical to the wave length of the sine wave.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for washing a washing tub and a washing machine having the same applied thereto, and more particularly, a method for washing a washing tub including a detergent removing step, a laundry amount detecting step, and a soaking step; and a washing machine having the same applied thereto. The method includes a detergent removing step for removing detergent from the washing tub, a washing water supply step for supplying washing water to the washing tub, a laundry amount sensing step for sensing a laundry amount in the washing tub for determining whether the method proceeds to the next step or not, a soaking step for soaking dirt on a surface of the washing tub after applying the washing water to the dirt by moving the washing tub, and a washing step for washing the washing tub, if it is determined in the laundry amount sensing step that the method proceeds to the next step.