Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a sugar-dipeptide conjugate. In particular the invention concerns a method for making a sugar-dipeptide conjugate comprising forming a liquid eutectic mixture of at least two compounds solid at 25° C. and water, and heating the liquid eutectic mixture; wherein the liquid eutectic mixture comprises a dipeptide and a reducing sugar. A further aspect of the invention is a method for preparing a food product.

Abstract: A gel is disclosed that is formed from a hydrophobic liquid and a gelator. The gelator has a structure given by: formula (I) where (II) and (III) or (IV) or (V). The gelator is environmentally friendly and from a biomass source.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a functional nutritional blend comprising Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract, Coleus forskohlii extract, Zingiber officinale extract and piperine, for increasing metabolic efficiency and inhibition of adipogenesis.

Abstract: Medical foods containing glycomacroprotein and additional supplemented amounts of arginine, leucine, and optionally other amino acids, such as tyrosine, are disclosed. The medical foods can be used to provide the complete protein requirements for patients having metabolic disorders such as phenylketonuria.

Abstract: A charcoal article for use of a hookah tobacco pipe is provided. The article comprises a body extending between a top and bottom portions. Plurality of legs extends outwardly from a base surface disposed between the top and bottom portions. The legs are separated from each other by channels, and a recess is provided extending inwardly within the body from the base surface. An inner chamber is defined within the body by the walls of the legs and walls of the recess. The legs are configured for placement on a foil, having at least one perforation, covering a bowl with a smoking matter. Upon positioning of the article on the foil the heating chamber is positioned to coincide with or situated at the perforation within the foil.

Abstract: A fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product includes smokeless tobacco and a plurality of polymeric fibers surrounding the smokeless tobacco. The polymeric fibers can have a basis weight of 5 gsm or less and a diameter of less than 100 microns. In some cases, the polymeric fibers are melt-blown polymeric fibers. In some cases, the polymeric fibers are centrifugal force spun polymeric fibers. A method of preparing a fiber-wrapped smokeless tobacco product includes melt-blowing or centrifugal force spinning a plurality of polymeric fibers to create an polymer deposition zone and passing a body comprising smokeless tobacco through the polymer deposition zone. In some cases, an electrostatic charge can be applied to the plurality of polymeric fibers, the body, or a combination thereof. In some cases, a spin is applied to the body when passing through the polymer deposition zone.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation and/or treatment of a tobacco extract. The process comprises the treatment of a tobacco extract by centrifugation and microfiltration so that it is suitable for administration to a human.

Abstract: A process for reducing the permeability of a paper wrapper used in the construction of a smoking article is disclosed. The paper wrapper is treated with a film-forming composition that forms treated discrete areas on the wrapper. The treated discrete areas have a permeability within a predetermined range sufficient to reduce the ignition proclivity properties of a smoking article made with the wrapper. In accordance with the present invention, the film-forming composition is applied as multiple layers to the paper wrapper. After each application step, the wrapper is dried. Applying the film-forming composition to the paper wrapper in multiple layers minimizes distortion and other adverse affects that may occur to the wrapper.

Abstract: A smoking article, such as a cigarette, includes a carbonaceous heat source. A mouth end piece segment is located at the mouth end of the smoking article, and the mouth end piece segment allows the smoking article to be placed in the mouth of the smoker to be drawn upon. The smoking article further incorporates an aerosol-generating segment located between the heat generation segment and the mouth end piece segment. The aerosol-generating segment incorporates an aerosol-forming material (e.g., glycerin and flavors). The heat generation segment is in a heat exchange relationship with the aerosol-generating region such that heat generated by the burning fuel element acts to volatilize aerosol-forming material for aerosol formation. The carbonaceous heat source is in intimate contact with coarse, fine or ultrafine particles of materials such as cerium oxide, or mixtures of cerium oxide and palladium chloride.

Abstract: A smoking apparatus including a substantially hollow stem defining a bore having a bore diameter, the hollow stem including a first end, a second end disposed opposite the first end. A bowl is situated proximate the first end of the hollow stem and is configured to receive smoking product. The smoking apparatus includes a filter holder comprising a filter stop, a retainer lip, and a filter region. The filter stop is disposed between the first and second ends. The retainer lip is defined by the second end of the hollow stem, projects into the hollow stem, and defines a retainer lip opening providing space for fluid communication through the retainer lip. The filter region is disposed between the retainer lip and the filter stop. In some examples, the smoking apparatus includes a filter tool to help extract a compressible filter from the filter holder.

Abstract: A device and system for packaging, storing, and smoking an organic smoking material, and a method of using same. In one embodiment, the system includes a container that includes a housing defining a chamber, a first compartment within the chamber, the first compartment having a first depth, a second compartment within the chamber adjacent the first compartment, the second compartment having a second depth that is less than the first depth, and a lid configured to provide an airtight seal to at least the second compartment. In one embodiment, the system further includes a smoking device having a bowl portion with a sharpened free edge that can be used to simultaneously cut organic smoking material within the second compartment and load the cut organic smoking material into the bowl portion. The system may also include a loading funnel and a pushing device for inserting organic smoking material into the container.

Abstract: A tobacco pouch with a front panel and a back panel, which are connected with one another via a first folding line at a first lateral edge, via a first connecting means at a second lateral edge, and via a second connecting means at a lower edge, a strip-shaped, openable first closure running along an upper edge from the first folding line to the first connecting means, sealing an opening, and at least one strip-shaped, openable second closure located in between the first closure and the second connecting means and miming from the first folding line up to the first connecting means, dividing the inside of the tobacco pouch into at least two chambers.

Abstract: A smoking article is provided, including a combustible carbonaceous heat source having opposed front and rear end faces; an aerosol-forming substrate downstream of the rear end face of the combustible carbonaceous heat source; an ignitable composition provided on at least a portion of the front end face of the combustible carbonaceous heat source; and one or more airflow pathways along configured to allow air to be drawn through the smoking article for inhalation, the ignitable composition being configured to be ignited by striking the front end face on a frictional surface, and being isolated from the one or more airflow pathways such that air drawn along the one or more airflow pathways does not directly contact the ignitable composition.

Abstract: There is provided a smoking article having a mouth end and a distal end, the smoking article including a heat source positioned at the distal end; an aerosol-forming substrate adjacent to the heat source; and a cap configured to at least partially cover the heat source. The cap is attached at a line of weakness to the distal end, including a cylindrical plug of material circumscribed by a wrapper, and is removable to expose the heat source prior to use of the smoking article.

Abstract: A microvaporizer having a combustion heating device to vaporize stored fluids to produce vapors, including methods to supply fluid to the combustion heating device by pressure induced by a switch that releases pressure, a spring, or a negative pressure induced by a user's sucking action on a mouthpiece of the microvaporizer.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device is provided that includes a housing defining a reservoir configured to retain aerosol precursor composition. The aerosol delivery device also includes a plurality of electronic components interconnected by or connected to one or more conductors, and these electronic components include a heating element, a control component and a Hall effect current sensor. The control component is configured to operate in an active mode in which the control component is configured to control the heating element to activate and vaporize components of the aerosol precursor composition. The Hall effect current sensor is positioned proximate a conductor of the one or more conductors, and configured to measure to a current through the conductor. And the control component is configured to control operation of at least one functional element of the aerosol delivery device in response to the current so measured.

Abstract: Example embodiments relate to a cartridge including a housing, a pre-vapor formulation reservoir configured to store a pre-vapor formulation in the housing, a vaporizer, and an airflow diverter. The vaporizer may be configured to vaporize the pre-vapor formulation. The vaporizer may include a heater and a wick, the wick may be in fluid communication with the pre-vapor formulation reservoir, and the heater may be configured to vaporize at least a portion of the pre-vapor formulation in the wick to form a vapor. The heater may be positioned in a transverse direction in the housing, and the airflow diverter may be located on an opposite side of the heater relative to a mouth-end portion.

Abstract: Embodiments of a diffuser device, system, and method for diffusing exhaled vapor that is inhaled from a vaper producing device. In one embodiment, the diffuser device includes a first tubular portion, a second tubular portion, and a removable, disposable filter. The first tubular portion includes a length and a first interior surface that defines a first bore extending through the first tubular portion along the length, the first interior surface defining a first ledge. The second tubular portion includes a second interior surface that defines a second bore. The second tubular portion is removably and rotatably coupled to the first tubular portion such that the second bore is coaxial with the first bore. The removable, disposable filter may include a cylindrical structure sized to be positioned within the first bore between the first ledge and an end of the second tubular portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic smoking article that provides for improved aerosol delivery. Particularly, the article comprises a wicking element useful for improving delivery of aerosol precursor to a heating element. In particular, the wick can take on a brush-like configuration. The present disclosure further relates to methods of forming an aerosol in a smoking article.

Abstract: A torso garment, such as a brassiere or brief, includes a body formed of inner and outer layers, the body including at least one torso band extending from a portion of the body, where the inner and outer layers overlap along a fold line of the torso garment. The torso garment includes an elastomeric band positioned between the inner and outer layers proximate the fold line.

Abstract: A structure to absorb, dissipate and measure a force includes a plurality of distinct layers. The layers include a first impact absorbing material having an outer face facing the direction of expected impact and an opposite inner face, an impact dissipating layer adjacent to the inner face of the first impact absorbing material and having a higher flexural rigidity than the first impact absorbing material, a second impact absorbing material having an outer face adjacent to the impact dissipating layer and an opposite inner face, and having a lower hardness than the impact dissipating layer, and a pressure sensor arranged across the inner face of the second impact absorbing material. An impact on the outer face is partially absorbed by that material, dissipated by the impact dissipating layer and further absorbed by the second impact absorbing material, with the remaining transmitted force being sensed by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: Methods of forming garments having one or more stretchable conductive ink patterns. Described herein are method of making garments (including compression garments) having one or more highly stretchable conductive ink pattern formed of a composite of an insulative adhesive, a conductive ink, and an intermediate gradient zone between the adhesive and conductive ink. The conductive ink typically includes between about 40-60% conductive particles, between about 30-50% binder; between about 3-7% solvent; and between about 3-7% thickener. The stretchable conductive ink patterns may be stretched more than twice their length without breaking or rupturing.

Abstract: A low drag garment has a plurality of zones including a first zone A, a second zone B and a third zone C, which are defined in relation to a forward direction of travel M of a person wearing the garment. The first zone A is located generally in an inner front region of the garment, the second zone B is located in an outer front region of the garment and the third zone C is located in a rear region of the garment. The garment is made from a fabric having a textured outer surface with a texture height H, wherein in first zone A the fabric has a mean texture height HA in the range 0-200 ?m, in the second zone B the fabric has a mean texture height HB that is greater than HA and preferably in the range of 100-500 ?m, and in the third zone C the fabric has a mean texture height He that is greater than HB and preferably greater than 200 ?m.

Abstract: A glove has a palm side and a back side joined at a side edge to form a glove body. The palm side and the back side are constructed from a stretch material. Panels attach to the stretch material on the palm side to form finger parts, palm parts and a back part. The panels are separated from each other by the stretch material to allow relative movement. Elastic bands attached to the panels on the back side adjust the fit. A thumb part has a gusset of the stretch material. Grip surfaces have an embossed texture with indentations.

Abstract: The fourchette structure in a glove is reduced to a minimal level resulting in a glove structure having fewer seams, shorter seams and is more readily manufacturable using conventional materials. The resulting glove is more comfortable and is less prone to failure along its seams.

Abstract: According to techniques of this application, a garment may include a trunk, three left sleeves, and three right sleeves. Two of the left sleeves may be short sleeves. The third left sleeve may be a long sleeve. Two of the right sleeves may be short sleeves. The third right sleeve may be a long sleeve. The first left sleeve may be attached to the trunk. The second left sleeve may be attached to either the trunk or to the first left short sleeve. A segment of the third left sleeve may extend distally from the distal ends of the first and second left sleeves. The first right sleeve may be attached to the trunk. The second right sleeve may be attached to either the trunk or to the first right short sleeve. A segment of the third right sleeve may extend distally from the distal ends of the first and second right sleeves.

Abstract: The invention includes a protective headpiece and components thereof and methods for their use. Preferred examples comprise a helmet component, a plurality of piers joining said helmet component to a shoulder pad component and an inner hat component permitting the wearer the ability to move the head from side to side and/or up and down within the helmet component without moving the helmet component. The helmet component may comprise a plurality of fluid-filled floating plates or floats on the inner surface thereof to cushion the head against impact during activities including, for example, football, race car driving, military activities and the like.

Abstract: A football helmet has a shell made of polycarbonate or ABS plastic or thermoplastic composite material and two cheek supports, each removably connected to an earflap. Each cheek support comprises an outer brace, an inner plate removably connected to the outer brace by fasteners passing through through-going holes formed in the earflap, and a cheek pad attached to the inner plate. The outer brace has a lower edge having a contour shaped to follow a contour of the lower edge of the earflap without extending substantially beyond the lower edge of the earflap. The inner plate has a lower edge having a contour shaped to follow the contour of the lower edge of the earflap without extending substantially beyond the lower edge of the earflap and an extension extending from a body of the inner plate and beyond the front edge of the earflap. A cheek pad is removably attached to the inner plate and positioned to overlay the cheek of a wearer.

Abstract: A helmet and goggle strap clip combination includes a helmet body with an outer shell having an opening in a surface. The goggle strap clip includes a clip body, a resilient leg extending in a first direction with a foot at an end of the leg. The foot includes a foot body, an outer side facing away from the helmet body and an inner side facing the helmet body, a cover extends from the foot body in the first direction, a support fin extending from the foot body in a second direction, opposite the first direction. The cover overlaps the outer shell by a side edge, the support fin is positioned inside of and engaging the outer shell by a second side edge, and the clip body is in direct contact with the outer shell separate from the leg and its foot.

Abstract: A football helmet has a rigid plastic football helmet shell with a single raised plateau in the crown portion of the shell extending from the front portion, over the crown portion, toward the back portion. The raised plateau has a left border and a right border. The left border is composed of a plurality of segments and extends continuously from the front portion, over the crown portion, toward the back portion. The segments of the left border including at least a first segment and second segment, which meet to form an angle. A non-circular first ventilation hole through the shell has at least a first side, a second side, and a third side, and is positioned at the angle, such that the first side is adjacent to the first segment and the second side is adjacent to the second segment.

Abstract: A healthcare footwear article includes an upper shoe body and a sole member provided underneath the upper shoe body and is connected with the upper shoe body to form an integral body. The upper shoe body and the sole member is configured from a material consisting of approximately 70% to approximately 80% of silicon rubber by weight, approximately 5% to approximately 20% of negative ion powder by weight, approximately 2% to approximately 7% of antiwear agent by weight, approximately 5% to approximately 20% of titanium powder by weight, approximately 0.1% to approximately 1.5% of vulcanizing agent by weight, approximately 5% to approximately 10% of infrared ray powder by weight, and approximately 0.1% to approximately 8% of dye by weight.

Abstract: An airbag device includes a wear and an elastic module mounted on the wear. The wear has a wearing space. The elastic module is mounted in the wearing space of the wear and includes a first air bag, a second air bag, a first control valve and a second control valve. The first control valve is connected with the first air bag and is provided with a first oneway air inlet and a first oneway air outlet. The second control valve is connected between the first air bag and the second air bag and is provided with a second oneway air inlet and a second oneway air outlet. The second control valve and the first control valve are operated synchronously.

Abstract: A watersports sandal is disclosed. The sandal has a flexible sole that underlies and protects a user's foot in a walking configuration. The sandal has a detachable forefoot strap that connects the sole to the user's forefoot and an ankle strap that connects the heel portion of the sole to the lower leg of the user. The sandal can be reconfigured to a stowed configuration in which the forefoot strap attaches the sole to a user's lower leg. In this stowed configuration, the user's bare feet are exposed to allow him fine sensitivity to water sport devices such as surf boards.

Abstract: Described are soles for shoes, in which the sole includes a porous mesh and a continuous first layer arranged at least partially on a first side of the porous mesh, wherein the first layer penetrates the porous mesh at least partially to form a tread structure on a second side of the porous mesh opposite the first side, and wherein the first layer and the porous mesh are bonded at least in an area where the tread structure is formed.

Abstract: An adaptive fluid system for an article of footwear is disclosed. The adaptive fluid system includes a fluid chamber that provides cushioning and shock absorption for a foot. The adaptive fluid system includes an adjustable pressure regulating valve that may be used to control the pressure of the fluid chamber. The adaptive fluid system includes a valve that prevents fluid from escaping from a fluid chamber during use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a skin film for uppers of shoes, which includes a polyurethane skin or a thermoplastic polyurethane film having a colored layer and a thermoplastic polyurethane hot melt film. The skin film is manufactured when an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer is formed between the TPU film and the hot melt film. The skin film can prevent dyes of a fabric material from being transferred to the skin film when the skin film is bonded to the fabric material, thereby preventing pollution of the colored layer of the skin film.

Abstract: Shoes, in particular sports shoes, and methods for their manufacture can correspond to a shoe that has an upper with a textile region in at least one of a forefoot region and a midfoot region, as well as a heel cap of the upper. The heel cap substantially surrounds a rear side, a medial side, and a lateral side of a heel of a wearer's foot when worn. The heel cap forms a heel region of the upper, and the heel cap is manufactured substantially as one piece from a non-textile flexible plastic material.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes a tongue. The tongue includes a medial portion, a lateral portion, a central portion, a top portion and an upper perimeter portion. The medial portion and the top portion have similar thicknesses, which are greater than the thicknesses of the lateral portion, the central portion and the upper perimeter portion. The central portion is the thinnest portion of the tongue. Each portion of the tongue corresponds to a different pressure zone along a foot in order to provide differential cushioning and support against pressure applied by a fastening system.

Abstract: A structure for attaching a shoelace winding apparatus in which a shoelace winding apparatus can be attached to a shoe is provided. The structure includes a reel that winds a shoelace by being rotated by an operation handle, a ratchet pawl that limits rotation of the reel, and a base member including a substantially cylindrical body that accommodates the reel. The base member includes an annular gear with teeth that engages with the ratchet pawl. The structure includes a base-member attachment cover and a flange portion. The cover includes a substantially cylindrical cover portion with a closed end. The cover portion secures the base member such that the base member is directly attachable and detachable from an outside of an upper section and held in the cover portion. The flange portion protrudes from the circumference of the cover portion and conforms to the shape of the shoe.

Abstract: A shoe, in particular a sports shoe, having a sole connected to a shoe upper. The sole includes: a first sole part having a bottom plate arranged with a number of first damping elements; a second sole part having a cover plate arranged with a number of second damping elements; a connecting part having a number of interconnected plug connections. Each plug connection has a first plug directed downward and a second plug directed upward. The first plug engages in a section of the first damping element, and the second plug engages in a section of the second damping element. At least a number of the first plugs extends through an opening in the bottom plate so that, when the sole is deformed by the weight of the wearer, the first plug protrudes from the lower surface of the sole further than without application of the weight of the wearer.

Abstract: Provided is an inflatable shoe insert for inserting in a shoe. The insert comprises first and second web plies that are sealed together at a plurality of seals that define an air chamber. The air chamber includes a front region having a toe expansion region uninterrupted by seals over an area so that when fully inflated, the front region expands to a height and medial-lateral width to support the shoe upper against collapsing. The air chamber further includes a retention portion having a region in which the seals are spaced closer together than in the toe expansion region so that when fully inflated, the retention portion expands to a medial-lateral width that is smaller than that in the toe expansion region, the retention portion having an anterior-posterior length that reaches the heel of the shoe to retain the front region in the toe box by pressure against the heel.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for attaching an item to a substrate, using a prong ring with a ring and two or more prongs. When attached, the prongs extends from the ring on a first side of the substrate through such substrate and being bent. A lower die is positioned to approach the first side of the substrate. An upper die is on a second side of the substrate. The substrate is placed in a manner substantially perpendicular to the attaching movement of the upper and lower dies and a first redirecting member for redirecting the prongs which are bent inwardly. The first redirecting member cooperates with an abutting member positioned along the approach of the prong ring towards the first side of the substrate for inhibiting movement of the prong ring towards the substrate while the first redirecting member is used.

Abstract: The molded surface fastener has a plurality of engaging regions having engaging elements and a plurality of space regions disposed between the engaging regions. Each space region has a plurality of wall pieces standing on a substrate portion and intrusion-accepted space portions which allows a foam resin material to intrude across the wall pieces in foam molding of a cushion body. By that, deformation or breakage of the engaging element in a manufacturing process can be prevented. Moreover, the molded surface fastener is firmly fixed in a state that the engaging elements are exposed.

Abstract: Stringers without fastener tape have continuous fastener elements and have element fixing members wherein the fastener elements are sewn together by a sewing thread. The element fixing members are inserted between upper and lower leg sections of the fastener elements. The sewing thread comes in contact with and straddles the upper and lower leg sections of each fastener element and pierces the element fixing members between the fastener elements. As a result of such stringers without fastener tape, the fastener elements can be held and the weight and cost of an article with a slide fastener can be reduced.

Abstract: A set of watch straps include a first strap, the first strap including a first band, a first adapter, and a first lug connected in series, and a second strap, the second strap including a second band, a second adapter, and a second lug connected in series. The first lug is configured to slide into a first strap receiving groove of the watch, and the second lug is configured to slide into a second strap receiving groove of the watch. At least one of the first strap and the second strap is reversible.

Abstract: In a clasp (1), a male member (2) has a columnar insertion portion (23) and a female member (4) has a cylindrical housing portion (43). The clasp (1) has magnets which attract the insertion portion (23) into the housing portion (43). A male engagement body (3) is provided on an outer peripheral surface (23a) of the insertion portion (23) of the male member (2) while a female engagement body (5) is provided on an inner peripheral surface (43a) of the housing portion (43) of the female member (4). The male engagement body (3) and/or the female engagement body (5) is provided as a long protruding edge structure or a long recessed notch structure along the axis of the clasp (1), has a guiding portion (53), and also has a retaining portion (52) which prevents the insertion portion (23) from getting out of the housing portion (43).

Abstract: Disclosed is a wearable band that includes a strap extending between a first end and a second end and an axle extending between and attached to each of the first end and the second end, the axle including a smaller cross section than the strap. The wearable band includes a first disc portion including a first body, a first channel, a first groove and a first protrusion, and a second disc portion including a second body, a second channel, a second groove and a second protrusion. The first disc portion and the second disc portion are connected such that the first protrusion is located within the second groove and the second protrusion is located within the first groove. The first and second channels are aligned, and the axle is located within the aligned first and second channels. A method and kit are further disclosed.

Abstract: An oval shaped diamond, adapted to display a hearts and arrows pattern when exposed to light characteristic of the hearts and arrows pattern in a round diamond, comprising: an oval shape having two long sides symmetrical to each other, two short sides symmetrical to each other and four diagonal sides symmetrically located between the long sides and the short sides respectively, eight main crown facets, eight main pavilion facets, sixteen pavilion half facets; a uniform girdle of varying thickness separating the crown and pavilion facets, twelve subsidiary pavilion facets and eight crown star facets with each crown star facet including two facet sections of equal size and geometry on each of the two long and two short sides of the oval shaped diamond and two facet sections of non-equal size and geometry in each of the four diagonal or shoulder sides of the oval shaped diamond.

Abstract: The current invention is an LED-lighted walking-cane. It is a fixed-height cane, with a string of LED lights coiled along the entire length. The user turns the lights on and off with a switch on the handle. The lights are battery-powered. The battery pack is stored in a cavity within the cane.

Abstract: A foldable frame is disclosed. The foldable frame contains at least one multiple-fold frame assembly containing an inner intermediate stretcher rib containing a first end and a second end, an outer intermediate stretcher rib containing a first end and a second end, and an outer leverage arm containing a first end and a second end, wherein the inner intermediate stretcher rib's second end is pivotally coupled with the outer intermediate stretcher rib's second end, wherein the outer leverage arm's second end is pivotally coupled with the outer intermediate stretcher rib adjacent to the first end, wherein the outer leverage arm's second end is pivotally coupled with the outer intermediate stretcher rib a first distance from the first end.