Abstract: A new cultivar of Wisteria sinensis named ‘Angie’ characterized by strong upright stem growth, characterized by thick non-twining stem growth, large pink and violet flowers and leaf foliage, initially taking a gold color and later changing to bronze and green during a three week period, seed pods are lacking.

Abstract: A new cultivar of Rhododendron plant named ‘Hort01’ that is characterized by dark red double flowers with a long life of approximately 30 days, no bracts and a low level of leaf drop.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Gardenia jasminoides plant named ‘Leeone’, characterized by its dense, upright, globose growth habit, dark green foliage color, and abundance of fragrant, double white flowers is disclosed.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of hardy herbaceous Hibiscus hybrid plant named ‘Cranberry Crush’ comprising a naturally-short, compact, heavy-branching habit; also dark-green leaves with purple overtones and with a multitude of scarlet-red to dark-red slightly cupped flowers over at least 12 weeks during the summer until frost The new plant, Hibiscus ‘Cranberry Crush’ does not need to be pinched or sprayed with plant growth regulators to keep short and compact.

Abstract: A new Petunia plant named ‘Petlilav’ particularly distinguished by the medium-sized light purple flowers that have bold red-purple veining and throat color, early flowering and good floriferousness, medium yellow green foliage, excellent branching and an outwardly spreading plant habit with exceptional cold tolerance.

Abstract: A new Solenostemon plant named ‘Mos Thimint’ particularly distinguished by the yellow-green and purple colored foliage with an upright, well branched and uniform plant habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct Lobelia cultivar named ‘DANANAB8’ is disclosed, characterized by having contrasting blue and white flowers, upright plant habit, and early flowering. The new variety is a Lobelia, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Abstract: A new Lobelia plant named ‘Tec Hewhitt’ particularly distinguished by the large pure white flowers, medium green foliage, vigorous and well branched habit, and early flowering.

Abstract: Improved process for evacuating the thermally insulating jacket of a dewar having an inner wall and an outer wall, with the inner space between said walls completely or partially filled with an insulating material, containing also a moisture sorbing material and a getter material, in which said moisture sorbing material is a chemical drying agent.

Abstract: A charging station (1) for a rechargeable battery (5) that can be electrically and physically connected to the rechargeable battery (5). The charging station (1) has charger electronics (2) in a charger housing (3) and an electrical and physical contact interface (4) for the battery (5). An air blower (6) producing an air current (L) through two air vents (7a, 7b) is arranged in the charger housing (3). The air vent (7a) of the physical contact interface (4) is spatially associated with the battery (5) and the charger electronics (2) is arranged in the air current (L) to transfer heat. In the cooling process, in a first stage, an air volume (V) at cooling temperature CT is moved past the battery to transfer heat into and onto the battery and, in a second stage, the air volume (V) at an intermediate temperature IT>CT permeates the charger housing (2) containing the charging electronics (2.).

Abstract: A battery charger amusement has a receptacle adapted to receive a rechargeable battery, an electronic circuit monitoring battery charge status, and a mechanical movement signal activated upon charge status attainment. The battery charger can include a motion actuator so as to move during the battery recharge process. The device is intended to encourage the use of rechargeable batteries over a disposable counterpart.

Abstract: An open-loop switching amplifier achieves synchronous operation using a ring oscillator based upon a tapped delay line. A counter is clocked from the ring oscillator, periodically comparing incoming more significant data to the value of the counter to form a pulsewidth modulated output waveform. Modulating the effective width of the output waveform in incremental delay line taps is equivalent to incoming less significant data. This technique then effects time-period summation of coarse and fine resolution clocked data.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring movement of a person's eye, e.g., to monitor drowsiness. The system includes a frame that is worn on a person's head, an array of emitters on the frame for directing light towards the person's eye, and an array of sensors on the frame for detecting light from the array of emitters. The sensors detect light that is reflected off of respective portions of the eye or its eyelid, thereby producing output signals indicating when the respective portions of the eye is covered by the eyelid. The emitters project a reference frame towards the eye, and a camera on the frame monitors movement of the eye relative to the reference frame. This movement may be correlated with the signals from the array of sensors and/or with signals from other sensors on the frame to monitor the person's level of drowsiness.

Abstract: A method for main beam alignment verification includes providing data pertaining to one or more patterns associated with an antenna, measuring power levels of a signal acquired by the antenna, and comparing the measured power levels with the data to determine whether a direction of the signal is incident upon a main beam of the antenna.

Abstract: An adaptive halftoning method where the difference between a digital image and a filtered digital image is introduced into the system on a pixel by pixel basis is disclosed.

Abstract: An input image signal is coded by an encoder to be outputted as a basic code string, and the basic code string is delayed by a code-string delay circuit for a predetermined period of time to be outputted as an additional code string. The basic code string is synthesized with the additional code string by a code-string synthesizer to be outputted as an output code string. Thus, there is provided an image data coding system which can quickly restore data even if the data is lost due to error and in which the increased code amount is less than the cycle refresh and the error correction.

Abstract: A method of forming a fastener is provided, including (a) forming, from a thermoformable material, a preform product having a sheet-form base and an array of preform stems integrally molded with and extending from the base to corresponding terminal ends; (b) heating the terminal ends of the stems to a predetermined softening temperature, while maintaining the sheet-form base and a lower portion of each stem at a temperature lower than the softening temperature; and (c) contacting the terminal ends with a contact surface that is at a predetermined forming temperature, lower than the softening temperature, to deform the terminal ends to form heads therefrom that overhang the sheet-form base. Fasteners and other methods of forming them are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of instant messaging. More specifically the invention relates to a server centric method and unit for instant voice and video mail messaging. Even more particularly the invention relates to voicemail messaging with mobile terminals. The inventive methods and units under study allow faster voice messaging and enable similar, but not identical audio/video message “ping ball”. The sending of voicemail in accordance with the invention is instantaneous and involves no different telephone numbers for the sender to remember. The reception of messages is always instantaneous, provided the recipient is available, and only if not available, may the delivery of the messages be delayed.

Abstract: Carboxylic acid derivatives where R-R6, X, Y and Z have the meanings stated in the description, and the preparation thereof, are described. The novel compounds are suitable for controlling diseases.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an absorbent article, and an absorbent article, in the form of a pants-type diaper or a sanitary panty, starting from a flat blank which includes an elongated absorbent body enclosed between two casing sheets which at opposing front and rear end parts of the absorbent body have side parts which extend laterally beyond the body on both sides thereof. The method includes the step of folding the blank around a transverse axis so that the end edges of the side parts lie edge-to-edge. At least one folded band of flexible material is placed between each pair of front and rear side parts which lie opposite one another in the folded state of the blank, and the free ends of the bands are fastened to adjacent side parts.

Abstract: It has been discovered that improved yields of engineered tissue following implantation, and engineered tissue having enhanced mechanical strength and flexibility or pliability, can be obtained by implantation, preferably subcutaneously, of a fibrous polymeric matrix for a period of time sufficient to obtain ingrowth of fibrous tissue and/or blood vessels, which is the removed for subsequent implantation at the site where the implant is desired. The matrix is optionally seeded prior to the first implantation, after ingrowth of the fibrous tissue, or at the time of reimplantation. The time required for fibrous ingrowth typically ranges from days to weeks. The method is particularly useful in making valves and tubular structures, especially heart valves and blood vessels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a spinal disc endoprosthesis. The endoprosthesis has a resilient body formed of one or more materials which may vary in stiffness from a relatively stiff exterior annular gasket portion to a relatively supple central nucleus portion. Concaval-convex elements at least partly surround that nucleus portion so as to retain the nucleus portion and gasket between adjacent vertebral bodies in a patient's spine. Assemblies of endoprosthetic discs, endoprosthetic vertebral bodies, and endoprosthetic longitudinal ligaments may be constructed. To implant this endoprosthesis assembly, information is obtained regarding the size, shape, and nature of a patient's damaged spine. Thereafter, one or more prosthetic vertebral bodies and disc units are constructed in conformity with that information. Finally, the completed and conformed vertebral body and disc assembly is implanted in the patient's spine.

Abstract: A system and method for yield management is disclosed wherein a data set containing one or more prediction variable values and one or more response values is input into the system. The system can pre-process the input data set to remove prediction variables with missing values and data sets with missing values. The pre-processed data can then be used to generate a model that may be a decision tree. The system can accept user input to modify the generated model. Once the model is complete, one or more statistical analysis tools can be used to analyze the data and generate a list of the key yield factors for the particular data set.

Abstract: A tray includes a substrate and a resin portion placed thereon by printing. The resin portion includes a first part placed along an edge on the disc loading side of the substrate, a second part placed along another edge on the disc unloading side of the substrate, and a third part placed between the first and second parts.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting a torch angle and/or a torch-to-workpiece distance error to a welding operator when these parameters are outside of a preset optimal range via real time visual and/or audio cues are provided. One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to weld characteristic communication via intuitive arrays of visual indicators located on the periphery of a lens, which indicate to the welding operator the direction and severity of the torch angle error. In one embodiment, audio cues, such as pulsed or continuous tones may be used to communicate torch-to-workpiece distance to the welding operator. In certain embodiments, vertical visual indicator arrays may be used to indicate additional weld or auxiliary information, such as battery charge state, torch speed and so forth, to the welding operator. All the components of the communication system may be located in or on the welding helmet or the components may be split between the helmet and a belt pack.

Abstract: This invention concerns improved protective rib and lower back pads for protecting an individual wearing the protective rib and lower back pads against impact to the ribs and/or lower back region of the human body. The improvement comprises protective rib and lower back pads with release mechanisms that allow the protective rib and lower back pads to be safely and easily detached from its corresponding pair of protective shoulder pads while the individual wearing the protective rib and lower back pads is maintained in the supine position, thus decreasing the risk of a secondary injury to the individual wearing the protective rib and lower back pads as the protective rib and lower back pads and associated protective shoulder pads are removed.

Abstract: A shirt cuff for a long-sleeved garment including a band of material having first and second opposing edges and first and second opposing cuff ends, wherein the first edge is attached to the sleeve of the shirt. A closure device is comprised of a hidden button and first eyelet combination, respectively disposed separately at the first and second opposing ends. A button-side eyelet may also be disposed adjacent to the hidden button on the first cuff end, and a cuff-link may be placed through the first eyelet and the button-side eyelet to form a French cuff configuration.

Abstract: An ear warmer comprises a frame disposed within a cavity of a shell. The frame includes a band portion and an ear portion. The ear portion includes an inner side disposed adjacent a head of a user when the ear warmer is worn by a user. In one embodiment, the ear portion is curved toward the inner side of the ear portion. In one embodiment, the ear portion is configured to flex when the ear warmer is disposed on a head of a user.

Abstract: A headband is positionable in a generally horizontal orientation. The headband has a front left panel and a front right panel. Each of the front panels has a lower edge stitched to the headband at a forward extent. Each of the front panels has a forward edge stitched together over a central extent above a central region of the headband. Each of the front panels has a vertically extending rearward edge. The headband has a left rear panel and a right rear panel. Each of the rear panels has a forward edge stitched to a rearward edge of a front panel. Each of the rear panels has a free rear edge and free lower edge. The lower and rear edges of the rear panels are adapted to be positioned rearwardly in a first orientation and forwardly in a second orientation.

Abstract: Provided is a head mounted device that can be smoothly mounted onto a head. The head mounted device includes: a frame extending from a front head side to a back head side in a mounted state onto a head; and a head holding portion attached to the frame and provided with a pad pressed to the head; in which the head holding portion, in a non-mounted state in which the device is not mounted to the head, holds the pad such that the pad is opened toward a direction in which the head mounted device is mounted onto the head as compared to the mounted state onto the head.

Abstract: A toilet device for facilitating defecation by a user in a natural squatting posture over a conventional toilet having a bowl, the device comprising: a platform adapted to support a user and having areas for a user's feet and an opening therethrough designed to be aligned with the toilet bowl; and a urinal pan to serve a user is in a squatting posture, said urinal pan comprising a front wall and side walls, one edge thereof mounted to said platform and adapted to be pivotably adjustable between an operative position and an inoperative position, characterized in that the urinal pan walls are comprised of flexible material framed with a rinse hose.

Abstract: A system and method for a plunger for unclogging a toilet. A plunger system comprising an elongated cylinder, a flexible material at a first end of the elongated cylinder, an air reservoir located inside the cylinder having an outlet extending through the flexible material, and a valve adapted to release compressed air stored inside the air reservoir through the outlet. The flexible material is capable of being expanded to seal the exit port of a toilet. A method for unclogging a toilet with a plunger device comprising the following steps: inserting a first end of a plunger device into an exit port of the toilet, expanding a flexible material attached to the first end of the plunger device to seal the exit port, and releasing a bolus of air into the exit port past the flexible material to unclog the toilet.

Abstract: A mechanism for mounting a foldable-bed unit in an article of furniture is described. A pair of mounting plates each including a first and second bracket is mounted on opposite ends of a cavity in the article of furniture. The brackets include a U-shaped slot configured to accept a fixture having an enlarged head. A retaining tab is included within one or more of the brackets to retain the fixture therein. The first brackets are located rearwardly of the second brackets and at an angle such that the slot therein is tilted forwardly. The second brackets are oriented to provide a generally vertical orientation to the slots therein. A foldable-bed unit having fixtures corresponding to each of the brackets is installed into the article of furniture by inserting corresponding fixtures into the first brackets. The foldable-bed unit is rotated to insert the remaining fixtures into the second brackets.

Abstract: A laundry stain and soil pretreatment sheet including a water soluble or water dispersible carrier layer, preferably polyvinyl alcohol, a removable separator layer, and a layer of cleaning agent composition therebetween. The separator layer is removed, the composition layer is adhered to a stain on clothing, and the clothing is laundered to treat the stain. The carrier layer dissolves or disperses during the laundering. A method of treating a stained or soiled area of a fabric using the sheet is also disclosed.

Abstract: In use, parameter representing pricing logic is defined in a pattern oriented rule implementation table/(s) and is applied utilizing a rule. Each rule may return a result according to a set of condition-value expressions pairs. Code is generated for determining a price, based on the rule. In various embodiments, the order of the code may be optimized when generated. Given a parameter name, the code may be executed for determining the price in an event scope.

Abstract: A comforter set includes a comforter piece having a peripheral edge, a comforter bag, and a fastening arrangement. The comforter bag has two cover layers overlapping to form a receiving cavity and an attachment edge. The fastening arrangement includes a plurality of first fasteners spacedly provided along an outer side of the peripheral edge of the comforter piece, and a plurality of second fasteners spacedly provided along an inner side of the attachment edge, wherein the second fasteners are detachably fastened with the first fasteners respectively to fittingly retain the comforter piece in the receiving cavity of the comforter bag at a position that the attachment edge is alignedly covered on the peripheral edge in an edge-to-edge manner to substantially pull the peripheral edge close to the attachment edge.

Abstract: A hospital bed assembly includes a platform that has a top side, a bottom side, a pair of lateral edges, a back edge, and a front edge. The platform includes a first section including the front edge and a second section including the back edge. A plurality of supports is attached to and extends downwardly from the platform. A headboard is attached to the back edge and a footboard is attached to the front edge. A mattress is positioned on the top side of the platform. A plurality of sleeves is provided. Each of the headboard and the footboard has at least one of the sleeves mounted thereto and the sleeves each have an upper end is open. Each of a plurality of support posts is removably extendable into one of the sleeves.

Abstract: According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for continuous collection of human waste products is disclosed. The apparatus may include a bed frame, a lower plate having a container coupled thereto, an upper plate having an aperture defined therein, a mattress having an aperture defined therein, a mattress cover having an aperture defined therein and an absorbent pad having a bag coupled thereto. The apparatus may allow for continuous collection of human waste products while maintaining the patient in a comfortable position. The apparatus may further facilitate preventing human waste products from contacting the skin of the patient, thereby substantially reducing the occurrence of pressure ulcers. Additionally, the apparatus may reduce the need for the use of Foley catheters for incontinence management, thereby reducing the occurrence of urinary tract infections related to such use.

Abstract: A patient bed includes a base, a patent support supported by the base, and a control system. The patient support includes a pivotal head-end section, with the control system including an actuator to pivot the head-end section and being adapted to control the speed of the actuator and, further, to selectively increase the speed of the actuator to pivot the head-end section at a greater speed.

Abstract: A strap unit secures a patient to a table during surgery. The strap unit includes a pad which is interposed between the patient and a strap and the strap has grommets through which screws from clamps fit to securely hold the strap in place. The clamps can be placed anywhere on the operating table so the strap unit can be easily and expeditiously positioned in the most advantageous location. The unit further includes shims which are interposed between the strap and the table adjacent to the clamps to ensure proper and secure positioning of the unit with respect to the patient and operating room personnel. An over-center buckle closes the strap over the patient while allowing easy and secure placement of the strap on the patient.