Abstract: A breathing arrangement includes a patient interface, at least one inlet conduit, and a headgear assembly. The patient interface includes a mouth covering assembly including a cushion structured to sealingly engage around exterior of a patient's mouth in use, a nozzle assembly including a pair of nozzles structured to sealingly engage within nasal passages of a patient's nose in use, and a flexible element connecting the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly. The at least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into at least one of the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. The headgear assembly is removably connected to at least one of the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly so as to maintain the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly in a desired position on the patient's face.

Abstract: A breathing mask includes a sheet of flexible material folded on itself, resulting in a first layer and a second layer, a filter located between the first layer and the second layer, and a nose bridge located along an edge of the folded sheet, the nose bridge configured to form a seal between the folded sheet and a user's nose when the mask is placed on a user's face.

Abstract: Multilayer filtering composition for a protective breathing mask, characterized in that this filtering multilayer composition comprises, from the outside in: a) an external layer made of a spunbonded nonwoven fabric; b) a first intermediate layer of felt-type tribocharged nonwoven fabric based on at least two different types of fibres suitable for giving the fabric opposite electric charges that enhance the filtration; c) at least one second intermediate layer made of a nonwoven ply of melt-blown microfibres, said ply being charged with static electricity; and d) an internal layer in contact with the face made of a spunbonded nonwoven fabric.

Abstract: A gas mask is provided for normal-pressure and overpressure operation with at least one breathing port, an expiration valve with a valve spring, an adjusting element affecting the prestress of the valve spring and a pushing element having a first switching position and a second switching position. The pushing element is designed to act on the adjusting element during a translatory motion from the first switching position into the second switching position. A change in the prestress of the valve spring can be brought about and a switchover from a “normal pressure” mode into an “overpressure” mode can thus be carried out.

Abstract: A tooth cover for covering a sexual partner's teeth when a male's erect penis is inserted into the mouth of the sexual partner during oral sex. The tooth cover has a flexible tooth cover body. There is a bottom surface that attaches to the sexual partners teeth and a top surface. The top surface provides a comfortable surface to receive the male's erect penis. A stick substance is connected to the bottom surface and is used to attach the bottom surface to the sexual partner's teeth. In a preferred embodiment, nodules are positioned on the top surface to provide a textured surface to better stimulate the male's erect penis. Also, in a preferred embodiment, the sticky substance is flavored to help mask any unpleasant taste of the male's erect penis.

Abstract: A spacing member can be positioned between teeth of the athlete to obtain a desired position between the upper and lower jaw. At least one bite registration can be recorded while the lower jaw is in the desired position. The desired position can range from the physiological resting position, to a performance position, in which the lower jaw is positioned anteriorly in relation to the physiological resting position. The mouthpiece can be formed to include a pair of bite portions configured to substantially space apart and position the jaws generally according to the desired position, and a connecting portion can connect the bite portions within the mouth. The connecting portion may extend labially along the anterior teeth and associated gum region of the lower jaw, and may be sized and shaped to substantially lie out of the way so as to not impede speech of the athlete.

Abstract: A combination bite block, tongue elevator/retractor and airway for establishing and maintaining an open airway while preventing emergence clenching and the resulting dental and soft tissue damage associated with emergence clenching in procedures where anesthesia and/or sedation are used, or when the patient is not in control of their own airway, regardless of the cause. The inventive subject matter includes a tongue elevator/retractor component in both right and left conformations; and a bite block component. The bite block component is a wedge shaped, compressible component that is inserted between the upper and lower molars on either the right or left side of the mouth. The tongue elevator component is comprised by a flat portion of that is inserted into the side of the bite block, and an optional curved portion that retracts the tongue off of the posterior pharynx when in place.

Abstract: The kit of parts for forming the device includes a first base member (12) having securing means (20) for securing it to the upper surface (24) of a baby nappy changing mat (10) at a first location (26) and engagement means (28) formed on its upper surface (24) for releasably engaging at least two upper arm restraint members (16) selectably in a plurality of laterally disposed positions. At least two upper arm restraint members (16) are provided, each in the form of a loop of adjustable circumference and each having, on its outer surface, engagement means (32) for releasably engaging the upper arm restraint member (16) with the first base member (12). A second base member (14) has securing means (42) for securing it to the upper surface (24) of a changing mat (10) at a second location (46) spaced from the first location (26) and engagement means (48) formed on its upper surface (50) for releasably engaging a torso restraint member (18).

Abstract: An aerosol electronic cigarette includes a battery assembly, an atomizer assembly and a cigarette bottle assembly and also includes a shell (a) which is hollow and integrally formed. Said battery assembly connects with said atomizer assembly and both are located in said shell (a). Said cigarette bottle assembly is located in one end of the shell (a), which is detachable. Said cigarette bottle assembly fits with said atomizer assembly. Said shell (a) has through-air-inlets (a1).

Abstract: A cigarette paper exhibiting a low flame-spreading property comprises a base cigarette paper, and a plurality of burn-suppressing regions that are provided spaced apart from each other on one surface of the base cigarette paper. The burn-suppressing regions are formed by coating of a low-methoxyl pectin.

Abstract: A hairpiece including a base having a first pair of elastic loops connected to one edge of the base at opposing corners, a second pair of elastic loops connected to an opposite edge of the base at opposing corners, and a bottom elastic loop connected to a bottom edge of the base. Hair is woven into the base. The first and second pairs of loops and the bottom loop of the hairpiece are sized and shaped for attachment to and removal from a hair accessory, such as a hair comb clip. The first and second pairs of loops wrap around the teeth of the clip, and the bottom loop wraps around the handles of the clip. The hair of the hairpiece extends away from the clip and may be styled by the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, kits and compositions for coloring the hair involving a color base composition having: at least one oxidation dye precursor, and at least 5% by weight water based on the weight of the color base composition, wherein the color base composition has a pH ranging from 2 to 12; and a developer composition made from a combination of an anhydrous oxidizer composition containing at least one oxidizing agent chosen from persulfates, perborates, percarbonates, their salts, and mixtures thereof, and a shampoo composition containing a carrier vehicle and at least 4% of at least one surfactant.

Abstract: A device for drying hair includes a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet spaced from the air inlet to define an airflow path through the housing. The device also includes a fan disposed within the housing along the airflow path, a hairstyling implement disposed at the air outlet, and an ultrasonic transducer configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations. The transducer is coupled to the hairstyling implement to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations to the hair.

Abstract: A hair clip, comprising: a lower clip body and an upper clip body pivotally connected together at one end of each; corresponding locking and fixing devices formed at the other ends of said lower clip body and upper clip body; wherein a plastic slice is formed at an end of an elastic locking clip adjacent to a wall of the locking and fixing device formed at said upper clip body and is pressed against said wall in a tilted relation. The hair clip according to the invention implements an improved locking and fixing method and produces the same locking and fixing effect as the locking and fixing method commonly used for prior art hair clips does. Moreover, since the locking and fixing devices and the plastic slice controlling their switch can be formed one-piece, manufacture of the hair clip is simplified.

Abstract: Articles such as clothing, textiles and accessories are exposed to selected frequencies from a frequency generator for selected periods of time. When the treated articles are worn or otherwise located in close proximity to a person or animal, they have been found to increase performance such as balance, flexibility, strength, endurance and focus, e.g., in workers, athletes, patients, and other types of people.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for treating containers relating especially to cleaning plastic bottles (1) preferably in the inverted position. Each container is thereby subjected to a treatment medium (16) applied and/or introduced thereto. Electrically charged ions introduced into the treatment medium (16) serve to balance the charge of each container. According to the invention, the treatment medium (16) is tested for the presence of ions.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a bevel edge of a substrate in an etch processing chamber is provided. The method includes placing a substrate on a substrate support in a processing chamber. The method also includes flowing a cleaning gas through a gas feed located near a center of a gas distribution plate, disposed at a distance from the substrate support. The method further includes generating a cleaning plasma near a bevel edge of the substrate to clean the bevel edge by powering a bottom edge electrode or a top edge electrode with a RF power source and grounding the edge electrode that is not powered by the RF power source, the bottom edge electrode surrounds the substrate support and the top edge electrode surrounds the gas distribution plate.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a gutter-cleaning device comprises a housing containing an impeller drive facility, the housing configured to fit into a gutter, an impeller, disposed at an end of the housing and driven by the impeller drive facility, and a transport facility for transporting the housing along the gutter

Abstract: A substrate is cleaned by performing a scrubbing process on a surface to be cleaned of the rotating substrate with a roll-shaped cleaning member while holding an outer circumferential surface of the roll-shaped cleaning member in contact with the surface to be cleaned of the substrate across a predetermined contact width. During at least a part of the scrubbing process, the roll-shaped cleaning member is placed at an offset cleaning position where the central axis of the roll-shaped cleaning member is spaced from the central axis of the substrate by a distance which is 0.14 to 0.5 times the contact width. The surface to be cleaned of the substrate is scrubbed with more uniform cleaning intensity while taking into account the cleaning intensity at each position (area) along the radial direction of the surface to be cleaned of the substrate.

Abstract: A cleaning wipe with a plurality of stiff triangular or rectangular-cross-sectional projections rising from the surface of a non-woven cloth is designed to clean the nooks and crannies, various crevices and other hard to reach areas of cell phones or other electronic items with a myriad of buttons and/or camera lenses, charger outputs, mouthpieces, ear receivers and keypads which are designed in countless shapes and sizes. The projections, whether in the form of cones, pyramids, length-long ridges or other embodiments are specifically designed to clean the small crevices, the mouthpiece and earpiece and between small buttons such as keypads on a cell phone or other electronic device.

Abstract: A method of operating a dishwashing machine including determining user satisfaction with a dishwashing cycle, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the dishwashing cycle based on the user satisfaction, and incorporating the adjusted operational parameter into a subsequent dishwashing cycle.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for cleaning heat exchangers and similar vessels by introducing chemical cleaning solutions and/or solvents while maintaining a target temperature range by direct steam injection into the cleaning solution. The steam may be injected directly into the heat exchanger or into a temporary side stream loop for recirculating the cleaning solution or admixed with fluids being injected to the heat exchanger. The disclosed methods are suitable for removing metallic oxides from a heat exchanger under chemically reducing conditions or metallic species such as copper under chemically oxidizing conditions. In order to further enhance the heat transfer efficiency of heating cleaning solvents by direct steam injection, mixing on the secondary side of the heat exchanger can be enhanced by gas sparging or by transferring liquid between heat exchangers when more than one heat exchanger is being cleaned at the same time.

Abstract: The invention relates to equipment consisting of a stationary base (2) to which a rotary frame (3) is attached, which includes: on the one hand, means for supporting the containers (1) to be cleaned, on the other hand, in correlation with said containers (1), insufflation tubes (4) forming the rods of cylinders (6), suitable for being inserted, on the fly, into the correlating containers. The insufflation tubes comprise a ring (15) the travel of which is adjustable by means of abutments (16) arranged on a plate. Said plate-abutment (16), shared by all the insufflation tubes (4), can be controlled by means of a screw (17) and nut (18) system or by any other means, to adjust the position of the nozzles (9) located at the end of said tubes (4) to adapt said position according to the size of the containers (1).

Abstract: An umbrella hub is provided which can comprise a central portion, a body, and an engagement section. The central portion can be configured to receive to an umbrella pole. The body can extend between the central portion and an outer periphery of the hub with the engagement section being located adjacent to the outer periphery thereof. The engagement section can be configured to receive and constrained the movement of an end portion of an umbrella structural member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shock absorber insert for retro fitment into the body of an existing walking aid, such as a crutch, to dampen the impact force between the walking aid and a ground surface. Known shock absorbing walking aids can be relatively expensive to manufacture, heavy to use and do not provide for adjustment of the shock absorber. The shock absorber insert (1) of the present invention comprises a piston cylinder (11) with an end wall (11A); a piston (5) which moves axially within the piston cylinder (11) and a damper (10) located on a piston rod (9) and abut the end wall (11A) to reduce the speed of movement of the piston rod (9) within the piston cylinder (11). The shock absorber insert is either mid mounted between an upper (2) and lower (3) shaft or bottom mounted into a lower end of the lower (3) shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an outdoor shelter, such as a hunting blind consisting of a rectangular structure with roof and floor. The outer surface is coated with a spray closed cell foam insulation material, such as spray polyurethane. The foam is coated with a waterproof flexible membrane, such as a waterproof flexible latex paint.

Abstract: Housing for emergencies or for those in need could be a short-term solution or may be set up as a longer-term shelter. The shelter may be flexible to grow and change enough to accommodate the individual, the family and the community. The shelter is more substantial than a tent and easier to assemble and transport as compared to conventional shelters. The shelter can be transported in a standard size truck bed (for example, 4 feet by 8 feet) and erected by two individuals in a minimal amount of time, typically less than an hour. The walls of the shelter may include various features, including shelving, bathing facilities, sinks, beds, lighting, and the like. The shelters may be designed to be connected to external electric and water supplies. Optionally, the shelters may be designed as stand-alone, “off-the-grid” units. The ceiling of the shelter may include one or more solar panels to provide power for the shelter. The shelter's container provides the essentials needed to sustain life.

Abstract: In a fabric enclosure such as a tent wall there is provided an opening in the fabric panel with a fabric closure panel for closing the opening having a hinge line along one side connecting the closure panel to the wall panel. The opening and the closure panel each define an edge thereof opposite to the hinge line which is curved from an end at the hinge line around to an opposite end separated from the hinge line by a non-flexible rod with the edge of the closure panel overlapping the edge of the opening for closure thereon and a flexible bowing strip attached to the edge of the closure panel which is forced into a bowed shape to apply tension to the closure panel tending to maintain the panel flat.

Abstract: A canopy structure having a canopy supported by a plurality of elongated support columns, each support column having a longitudinal cavity and an opening at a first end thereof to provide access to the longitudinal cavity. A container to receive a ballast material is positioned within the longitudinal cavity of each of the support columns to provide adjustable counterbalancing of the canopy structure. Each support column may be encased or covered by a sheath or other outer layer of material.

Abstract: The present teachings provide a canopy that can be used in the area around a campfire for shelter during adverse weather conditions. The canopy includes a frame, a cover having a centrally located opening support by the frame, and a set of legs supporting the frame with the cover in an elevated position. The frame is constructed with a set of trusses which interconnect a lower support frame and an upper support frame. The trusses and support members are assembled such that the central opening remains unobstructed.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a thermoelectric composite sandwich structure with an integrated honeycomb core and method for making. The thermoelectric composite sandwich structure comprises two prepreg composite face sheets and an integrated honeycomb core assembled between the face sheets. The honeycomb core comprises a plurality of core elements bonded together with a core adhesive. Each core element has a first side substantially coated with a negative Seebeck coefficient conductive material having a plurality of first spaced gaps, and each core element further has a second side substantially coated with a positive Seebeck coefficient conductive material having a plurality of second spaced gaps. The honeycomb core further comprises a plurality of electrical connections for connecting in series the first side to the second side. A temperature gradient across the honeycomb core generates power.

Abstract: A thermoelectric system includes a first plurality of thermoelectric elements and a second plurality of thermoelectric elements. The thermoelectric system further includes a plurality of heat transfer devices. Each heat transfer device has a first side in thermal communication with two or more thermoelectric elements of the first plurality of thermoelectric elements and a second side in thermal communication with one or more thermoelectric elements of the second plurality of thermoelectric elements, so as to form a stack of thermoelectric elements and heat transfer devices. The two or more thermoelectric elements of the first plurality of thermoelectric elements are in parallel electrical communication with one another, and the two or more thermoelectric elements of the first plurality of thermoelectric elements are in series electrical communication with the one or more thermoelectric elements of the second plurality of thermoelectric elements.

Abstract: A wire harness connects multiple solar panel junction boxes to a recombiner box. The wire harness includes in-line fuse assemblies, with optional blocking diodes, so each string of solar panels is associated with one fuse. In the event of a blown fuse, only one upstream solar panel string is affected. Entire wire harnesses and/or individual in-line fuse assemblies can be easily swapped out, thereby decreasing the time and expense of troubleshooting and repairing.

Abstract: A plenum structure for cooling both a roof and a solar module includes an upper surface comprising at least a portion of a bottom face of a solar module having a length and a width and an under surface comprising a top face of a pan structure disposed a first vertical spacing directly below the upper surface and a second vertical spacing above the roof. The plenum structure includes a first side face and a second side face respectively coupled to the upper surface and the under surface, a first end face and a second end face respectively coupled to upper surface, the under surface, the first side face, and the second side face to enclose a spatial volume defined by the length, the width, and the first vertical spacing.

Abstract: Photovoltaic apparatus comprising a photovoltaic cell comprising an optical component of transparent material of cross section having a first surface forming an entry aperture for solar radiation, a second surface forming an exit aperture for the solar radiation passing through the entry aperture, opposite surfaces which are curved in shape, photovoltaic material positioned to receive solar radiation from the exit aperture, the opposite side surfaces being shaped to provide total internal reflection of solar radiation passing from the entry to the exit apertures, a mirror surface being positioned to reflect radiation away from one of said side surfaces.

Abstract: A solar powered generator (100) has thermoelectric elements adjacent to and below solar cells. Concentrated sunlight is provided. A heat sink (104), which can be variable in temperature or efficiency, is in contact with the cold junction (108) of the thermoelectric device (103). The thermal resistivity is designed in relation to the energy flux, whereby the thermoelectric device (103) develops a gradient of several hundred Kelvin. Preferably the solar cell comprises a high band gap energy semi-conductor. The generator (100) maintains relatively consistent efficiency over a range of cold junction (108) temperatures. The heat sink (104) can be a hot water system. High efficiencies are achieved using nanocomposite thermoelectric materials. Evenly but thinly dispersing the thermoelectric segments in a matrix of highly insulating material reduces the amount of material required for the segments without sacrificing performance.

Abstract: A photovoltaic framed module array apparatus for mounting a first framed photovoltaic (PV) module and a second framed PV module is provided. The photovoltaic framed module array apparatus comprises a first rail. The first rail includes an insert slot for accommodating an insert edge of the first framed PV module, and a capture slot for accommodating a capture edge of the second framed PV module. The capture slot is positioned substantively parallel to the insert slot.

Abstract: A tubular photovoltaic device capable of collecting light from a variety of angles is disclosed. The tubular photovoltaic device is sealed at an end with a sealing ring and hermetic sealing cap. Novel deposition electrodes and processes for depositing thin films inside a tubular substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A biaxially oriented polyester film having: an equilibrium moisture content of from 0.1% by mass to 0.25% by mass; a difference between moisture contents measured at 10 cm intervals of from 0.01% by mass to 0.06% by mass; a degree of crystallinity of from 30% to 40%; a concentration of terminal carboxyl groups of from 5 equivalents/ton to 25 equivalents/ton; and a thickness of from 100 ?m to 350 ?m.

Abstract: A micron gap thermo-photo-voltaic device including a photovoltaic substrate, a heat source substrate, and a plurality of spacers separating the photovoltaic substrate from the heat source substrate by a submicron gap. Each spacer includes an elongated thin-walled structure disposed in a well formed in the heat source substrate and having a top surface less than a micron above the heat source substrate. Also disclosed are methods of making the spacers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for transferring pattern, a flexible display panel, a flexible solar cell, an electronic book, a thin film transistor, an electromagnetic-shielding sheet, and a flexible printed circuit board applying thereof.

Abstract: A thin film solar cell including a substrate, a first conductive layer, a photoelectric conversion layer, a second conductive layer and a passivation layer is provided. The first conductive layer disposed on the substrate has a plurality of first openings, so as to divide the first conductive layer into bottom electrodes of a plurality of photovoltaic elements. The photoelectric conversion layer disposed on the first conductive layer has a plurality of second openings. The second conductive layer is disposed on the photoelectric conversion layer and electrically connected to the first conductive layer through the second openings. The passivation layer is disposed on the sidewall of the photoelectric conversion layer, so that the second conductive layer in the second openings is electrically isolated from the photoelectric conversion layer. A manufacturing method of the thin film solar cell is also provided.

Abstract: The paste composition for an electrode according to the present invention includes metal particles containing copper as a main component, a flux, glass particles, a solvent, and a resin. Further, a photovoltaic cell according to the present invention has an electrode formed by using the paste composition for an electrode.

Abstract: Light scattering inorganic substrates comprising monolayers and methods for making light scattering inorganic substrates comprising monolayers useful for, for example, photovoltaic cells are described herein. One embodiment is a method for making a light scattering inorganic substrate. The method comprises providing an inorganic substrate comprising at least one surface, forming a monolayer of inorganic particles on the at least one surface to form a coated substrate, heating the coated substrate above the softening point of the inorganic substrate, and pressing the inorganic particles into the at least one surface form the light scattering inorganic substrate.

Abstract: Light scattering inorganic substrates comprising monolayers and methods for making light scattering inorganic substrates comprising monolayers useful for, for example, photovoltaic cells are described herein. The method comprises providing an inorganic substrate comprising at least one surface, applying an adhesive to the at least one surface of the inorganic substrate, applying inorganic particles to the adhesive to form a coated substrate, and heating the coated substrate to form the light scattering inorganic substrate.

Abstract: A solar cell structure including a photovoltaic layer, an upper electrode, a lower electrode, and a passivation layer is provided. The photovoltaic layer has an upper surface, a lower surface and a plurality of side surfaces, wherein the photovoltaic layer includes a first type and a second type semiconductor layer. The upper electrode is disposed at the upper surface of the photovoltaic layer and electrically connected with the second type semiconductor layer, wherein the second type semiconductor layer is between the upper electrode and the first type semiconductor layer. The bottom electrode is disposed at the bottom surface of the photovoltaic layer and electrically connected with the first type semiconductor layer, wherein the first type semiconductor layer is between the bottom electrode and the second type semiconductor. The passivation layer covers at least one of the side surfaces so as to reduce the leakage current formed on the side surfaces.

Abstract: An optoelectronic structure can include a liquid crystal polymer layer and an optoelectronic device adjacent to a first surface of the liquid crystal polymer layer. The liquid crystal polymer layer can include the first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. In an embodiment, the liquid crystal polymer layer can further include a liquid crystal polymer at least partially exposed to a gas at the second surface. In another embodiment, the liquid crystal polymer may be a thermotropic liquid crystal polymer. In still another embodiment, the polymer layer can include an additive to reduce migration of a gas through the polymer layer. Methods of forming such optoelectronic structures can include melt-processing techniques.

Abstract: A device for adaptable wavelength conversion and a device for energy conversion are described. The device for adaptable wavelength conversion comprises at least one layer comprising a wavelength converting material and arranged to receive and re-emit a light beam. The device is further arranged to manipulate the at least one layer to operate in a closed state, in which a surface of the at least one layer is substantially covered with the wavelength converting material and to operate in an open state, in which the surface of the at least one layer is substantially uncovered with the wavelength converting material. The device for adaptable wavelength conversion can be applied in combination with a solar cell or photovoltaic cell thereby enabling the solar cell to receive radiation having a suitable spectrum under varying lighting conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a photovoltaic cell and its preparation method. The nano polycrystalline bio thin film photovoltaic cell as provided by the present invention is of layered structure, and the structure from top to bottom is: a top plate insulated and sealed layer, a conductive layer, a nano semiconductor layer, chromophoric molecular layer, an electrolyte polymer layer, a conductive catalyst layer, a conductive layer, a bottom plate insulated and sealed layer. The nano semiconductor layer is made of three metal oxide or metal sulfide, and the electrolyte polymer layer is made of CeCl3, gas SiO2 and LiI. The present invention also provides the preparation method of the nano polycrystalline bio thin film photovoltaic cell. The nano polycrystalline bio thin film photovoltaic cell mentioned in the present invention has higher photovoltaic conversion efficiency, lower cost, and can be applied in construction, family, community, factories and mines and electric net power supply.

Abstract: A socket assembly includes a photovoltaic package having a substrate with a photovoltaic cell and contact pads electrically connected to the photovoltaic cell. A dielectric housing removably receives the photovoltaic package. The dielectric housing holds contacts in mating engagement with the contact pads. A metal shell receives the housing and the photovoltaic package, and the metal shell has a window providing access to the photovoltaic cell.