ai

Self-contained automatic access port unit for a countertop, with methods of use thereof

A self-contained automatic access port unit having a sensor that recognizes when refuse is approaching the cover, and to activate a direct current motor, solenoid, or drive cylinder which in turn moves a drive arm to open a cover to permit refuse to drop through the access port unit into a trash container therebelow, thereby avoiding the need for a user to make contact with the trash access port. A switch or timer causes the access port unit to close its cover. Motion of the drive arm is initiated by the motor, solenoid or drive cylinder, but continues through momentum imparted to the drive arm and cover. The cover engages a seal ring to provide a uniform impervious countertop surface.




ai

Device for grinding roasted grains

A device (1) for grinding roasted grains, in particular coffee beans, of a kind including a grinding chamber (9) in which one or more electrically operated grinders grind coffee beans in order to reduce them to powder. The grinding chamber of the device is equipped with a plurality of cooling fins (29) that assist in removing heat produced during grinding, without the need to use cooling fins or similar cooling devices. Thanks to the provision of the cooling fins (28), the device (1) is inexpensive and compact and avoids an excessive increase in coffee temperature during grinding, thereby preserving the organoleptic qualities of the coffee.




ai

Drainage device for closed chamber containing liquid

A drainage device for draining liquid out of a closed chamber includes an air cylinder, a driving assembly, a first channel, a second channel, a first sealing assembly, a second sealing assembly, and a controller. The air cylinder includes a main body defining a receiving chamber, an action piston positioned in the receiving chamber of the main body, and a connecting rod connected to the action piston. The main body defines a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, both of which communicate with the receiving chamber, and the presence of a fixed piston with a seal in each of the inlet and outlet creates a double-acting one-way valve when the action piston is moved up and down.




ai

Apparatus and method for filling multi-chamber containers with bulk materials

An apparatus and method are provided for filling multi-chamber containers with different loose bulk materials. The apparatus and method may be particularly well-suited to packaging at least one bulk material, which is susceptible to water, chemicals, or other contaminants, with at least one other bulk material. The apparatus is a machine that includes separate hoppers for handling the separate bulk materials, and directs the separate bulk materials into different chambers of a multi-chamber container, which is then transported away from the machine for storage or use. The machine may include one or more movable hoppers supported on tracks, for moving the bulk materials to the hoppers that direct the bulk materials into different chambers of the multi-chamber container. A controller and data logger may be provided to control the apparatus and record the quantity and/or weight of the contents of each multi-chamber container.




ai

Cap unit for a tire puncture repair apparatus

Disclosed is a cap unit wherein safety is increased by preventing a reversed flow of a puncture-sealing agent. A cap main body (33) comprises an air flow passage (31) consisting of a vertical flow passage (31A) extending downward from an air passage upper opening (31a), a lateral flow passage (31B) laterally extending from an air intake port (31b), and a connecting flow passage (31C) connecting therebetween. The air flow passage (31) is provided with a reversed flow preventing device (22). The cap main body (33) is provided with a vertical hole (40) consisting of first to fourth vertical holes (40A to 40D) which have inner diameters increasing downwardly from the upper end in a stepwise manner, and the first to third vertical holes (40A to 40C) form the vertical flow passage (31A).




ai

Expanded color space architectural paint and stain tinting system

White-pigmented and unpigmented base paints and stains are custom-tinted using an automated colorant dispenser having a minimum fluid dispensing quantity less than 0.01 fluid ounce (




ai

Device and method for filling containers

Method for filling containers with liquids, wherein the containers are filled using a plurality of controllable filling elements and the liquid is fed to these filling elements starting from a reservoir, common to the filling elements, for storing the liquid, wherein during the filling the containers are transported at least in sections along a circular track and wherein the filling of the containers by at least one filling element is controlled as a function of at least one first parameter characteristic of the liquid in the reservoir and this parameter is determined repeatedly at given intervals of time during the filling operation.




ai

Container with a frangible sealed access and a vapour permeable vent

A container (1, 2) for storing and dispensing a liquid, the container including an access port (16) having a frangible seal (18) for allowing contained liquid to be dispensed. A vent (19) permeable to vapour but impermeable to liquid is also provided so that vapour may be vented from the interior of the container.




ai

Method and apparatus for engaging a beverage extraction device with a container

Devices and methods for clamping a beverage extraction device to a beverage container, such as a wine bottle. One or more clamp arms may be arranged to clamp the extraction device to a wine bottle as well as allow the device to be supported upright on a table top. Clamp arms may include tab and ridge features that operate to properly engage and position a wide variety of different bottle neck shapes relative to the device. The one or more clamp arms may move the bottle neck distally, e.g., toward a resilient pad, so that the neck is suitably positioned relative to the device. Proper positioning and engagement of the neck may allow for desired piercing of a cork or other closure of the bottle by the device.




ai

Method and apparatus for safety-compliant emptying and filling of a reagent container

An apparatus for safety-compliant emptying and filling of a reagent container (24, 40) for a tissue processor (20) comprises a suction line (30, 42) for aspirating a reagent out of the reagent container (24, 40) and a delivery line (32, 44) for filling the reagent container (24, 40) with the reagent, a terminating opening (31, 43) of the suction line (30, 42) being spaced away from a terminating opening (33, 45) of the delivery line (32, 44).




ai

Container closure with overlying needle penetrable and resealable portion and underlying portion compatible with fat containing liquid product, and related method

A container and method are provided for storing fat containing liquid products. The container includes a body defining a storage chamber for receiving the product, and a container closure. A first material portion forms at least most of the surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein. Neither the body nor the first material portion leach more than a predetermined amount of leachables into the product or undesirably alter a taste profile thereof. A needle penetrable and thermally resealable second material portion either (i) overlies the first material portion and cannot contact any product within the storage chamber, or (ii) forms a substantially lesser surface area overlying the storage chamber that can contact any product therein in comparison to the first material portion. A sealing portion is engageable with the body to form a substantially dry hermetic seal between the container closure and body.




ai

Device for introducing a defined amount of a second powder into a process container

An apparatus to introduce a defined amount of a second powder into a process container in which a first powder or a powder mixture is present, includes a coupling flange having a cover flap located on the process container. The second powder is introduced into a tubular cartridge mounted displaceably in a transport unit, the latter including a joining flange having a cover flap. The joining flange is joinable to the coupling flange so that the respective cover flaps can be opened, and the cartridge can be pushed through openings thereby provided into the plane of the inner wall of the process container. The second powder is emptied from the cartridge into the process container by a delivery piston. The cartridge may include a piston rod having multiple pistons. Other embodiments include a double piston, a rotatable cartridge core or a rotary closure.




ai

Counterbalance mechanism for bottom-hinged aircraft fuselage doors

A counterbalance mechanism for counterbalancing weight of a bottom-hinged door (such as a clamshell-type airstair door of an aircraft) includes an operator handle, a hoist rod pivotally connected at one end to the operator handle and at an opposite end thereof to the door near a bottom region thereof. A force accumulator assembly is provided which includes a force biasing member which accumulates and dissipates a bias force when opening and closing the door, respectively, to provide mechanical counterbalance to the weight of the door. A bellcrank assembly operatively connects the operator handle to the force accumulator. In such a manner, weight counterbalancing of the door is achieved.




ai

Baggage holder for an aircraft and aircraft having the baggage holder

Baggage compartment 1 for an aircraft, wherein the baggage compartment 1 comprises a housing 2 and a baggage holder 3, wherein the baggage holder 3 is swivel-mounted about a swivel axis A in the housing 2, wherein, the swivel axis A intersects, in its longitudinal extent, a holder side wall 32 of the baggage holder 3 and/or a housing side wall 21 of the housing 2, wherein the baggage holder 3 can be moved from a closed position G into an open position Ö with a first swivel movement S1 and the baggage compartment 1 is opened and wherein the baggage holder 3 can be moved from the open position Ö into the closed position G with a second swivel movement S2 and the baggage compartment 1 is closed, wherein the baggage compartment 1 comprises a drive device 6 having at least one drive motor 9, wherein the drive device 6 is designed to drive the baggage holder 3 during the first and/or second swivel movement S1; S2 and to open or close the baggage compartment 1, wherein the drive device 6 is connected to the holder side wall 32 on one side and to the housing side wall 21 on the other side.




ai

Remote controlled aerial reconnaissance vehicle

A radio controlled UAV is disclosed. The UAV includes a parachute, with a cylindrical power and control module suspended vertically below the parachute. In one embodiment, a propulsion source is mounted on top of the power and control module with control lines connected to the module below the propulsion source, and in another embodiment the power and control module is suspended from a point above a propulsion source. The UAV is controlled by radio controls from a hand held controller, with actuators retracting and letting out control lines attached to the parachute in order to control direction of the parachute. The UAV may be launched from a tube using a pressurized tank with a nozzle expelling gas from the tank, the tank and nozzle towing a canister from which the UAV is deployed.




ai

Cabin air compressor support bracket

A support bracket for a cabin air compressor (CAC) assembly includes a CAC mounting portion with a plurality of CAC mounting holes distributed in an arc configuration along a CAC mounting hole circle radius. A support portion includes a ramped face that transitions to an upper lug portion and a substantially perpendicular face relative to the CAC mounting portion. An upper lug extends from the upper lug portion. The upper lug includes a coupling hole that is offset from a first CAC mounting hole of the CAC mounting holes at a length in a first direction and a length in a second direction. A ratio of the CAC mounting hole circle radius to the length in the first direction is between 2.14 and 2.20, and a ratio of the CAC mounting hole circle radius to the length in the second direction is between 1.16 and 1.19.




ai

Airport surface collision-avoidance system (ASCAS)

Systems and methods for performing airport surface collision-avoidance. A wingtip-mounted camera allows the pilot to positively ascertain that the wingtip will clear objects located in the video. An exemplary system implemented on an aircraft includes a wingtip module having a camera that generates a video stream and a communication device that transmits the generated video stream. A processor receives the video stream and generates a reticule for the video stream. A display device simultaneously presents the video stream and the reticule. The reticule includes a horizon line and is based on a focal length of a lens of the camera and height of the camera above ground. The reticule includes curved and/or straight distance lines and curved or straight travel lines. The travel line(s) correspond to at least one aircraft component or a zone of importance and are based on location of the camera and trajectory of the aircraft.




ai

Method and device for creating an aircraft flight plan

A method of creating at least one flight plan of an aircraft includes entering a creation objective which illustrates a type and general characteristics of the flight plan to be created, automatically generating a flight plan outline, automatically generating a targeted request for information relating to missing parameters, entering the requested information relating to the missing parameters, and supplementing automatically the flight plan outline and automatically deleting any discontinuities to create, in a definitive manner, the flight plan.




ai

Method of controlling a group of engines, and an aircraft

A method of controlling a group (2) of engines developing a necessary power (Wnec) for driving a rotor (3), said group (2) of engines having at least one electrical member (4), electrical energy storage means (5), and a first number n of engines (6) that is greater than or equal to two. A processor unit (10) executes instructions for evaluating a main condition as to whether the group of engines can develop the necessary power while resting one engine, and if so for resting one engine and accelerating a second number engines not at rest, and for causing the electrical member to operate in motor mode, if necessary, the electrical member operating temporarily in electricity generator mode when the storage means are discharged.




ai

Safety aileron system

Individually operable ailerons pivotable to extend a forward end below a bottom wing surface and a rearward end above a top wing surface. The extended aileron forward end increases drag and subsumes the rudder function in the turn, while the aileron rear end produces drag and airflow redirection to reduce lift on the wing. The advantage of the safety ailerons is that habitual or instinctive pilot inputs to the yoke will recover from a dropped-wing stall at low speed and altitude, while conventional ailerons require counter-intuitive pilot actions to avoid crashing in such conditions.




ai

Integrated aircraft galley system

An integrated aircraft galley structure includes a service module having a plurality of galley inserts including at least one oven and at least one refrigeration unit. The service module is formed with a plurality of bays sized to receive the plurality of galley inserts, along with a human machine interface for controlling all of the galley inserts. The service module further includes a plurality of galley insert modules for controlling each galley insert, and an insert power and control unit for each galley insert for controlling power to said insert. The entire system is controlled by a galley power and control unit for controlling each of the insert galley power and control units, and an AC distribution unit for distributing power to the insert power and control units.




ai

Space efficient lavatory module for commercial aircraft

A space efficient lavatory module for commercial aircraft includes an aft facing concave wall recess that provides a greater distance from an upper, forward facing portion of a cabin structure, such as an aircraft passenger seat to avoid having a passenger's head impact the aft facing lavatory or enclosure wall in a sudden aircraft deceleration. The aft facing concave wall recess also provides space for mounting of a protective cushion, in order to reduce a passenger's risk of head trauma in a sudden deceleration, as well as other items, such as a video monitor, a bassinet or infant bed, without inhibiting passenger movement.




ai

Floor for an aircraft cargo compartment and method for the assembly thereof

In conventional aircraft cargo compartments panels or similar flat floor elements are fastened to floor beams or similar supporting elements that are installed in the body of the aircraft. Subsequently functional units such as roller elements, latches or PDUs are mounted and connected to one another by way of appropriate control conductors. It is proposed to fasten the floor elements permanently to the supporting beams so as to form prefabricated floor modules and to install these floor modules in the aircraft.




ai

Arrangement of aerodynamic auxiliary surfaces for an aircraft

An arrangement of aerodynamic auxiliary surfaces is configured for being arranged on the underside of an aircraft and furthermore includes a longitudinal axis and at least one aerodynamic auxiliary surface, wherein the aerodynamic auxiliary surface is laterally offset referred to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the aerodynamic auxiliary surface is configured for generating vortices when it is subjected to an oncoming air flow. This makes it possible to compensate vortices caused by the shape of the aircraft such that the directional stability of the aircraft can be improved and the aerodynamic drag may be reduced.




ai

Method for simulating the movement behaviour of a fluid in a closed, moving container

A method for simulating the movement behavior of a fluid in a closed moving container is provided. The simulation is based on the determination of the potential movement path of the center of gravity of the volume of the fluid as an elliptical trajectory situated in a disturbance plane having certain semi-axes.




ai

System and method for aircraft incident mitigation

A system and method for mitigating an aircraft incident is provided. The invention includes an aircraft panic component coupled to a terminal component. The aircraft panic component facilitates identification of a panic situation and communicates information associated with the panic situation to the terminal component. The aircraft panic component is further operative to at least partially disable a navigation system and/or operational system of an aircraft. The aircraft can then be sent to a safe zone, navigated remotely and/or a course of action for the aircraft can be determined. A safe zone component is adapted to facilitate identification of a course of action for the aircraft based at least in part upon aircraft positional information, aircraft condition information and/or aircraft resource(s). Further, aircraft navigational information and/or aircraft operational information can be sent via an aircraft communication component to a remote system having a remote communication component and a remote analyzing component facilitating transfer of information related to navigational and/or operational system(s) of the aircraft.




ai

Aircraft cable routing harness

A harness is provided comprising a body having a series of electrical conductors embedded therein and substantially running along the length thereof. The body may be part of a structural component such as stringer.




ai

Landing gear, an aircraft, and a method

The present invention relates to landing gear (5) having at least one undercarriage (10) comprising a landing gear leg (11) carrying at least one wheel (12). The undercarriage (10) includes a retraction actuator (20) having an electric motor (23), blocking means (30) for blocking the actuator in the retraction position and for enabling the retraction actuator to be positioned in the “landing gear extended” position by gravity, first monitoring means (35) for monitoring the operation of the retraction actuator (20), first control means (65) for controlling the refraction actuator (20), and second control means (75) for controlling the blocking means (30).




ai

Invertible aircraft

A rotorcraft including a fuselage, one or more motor-driven rotors for vertical flight, and a control system. The motors drive the one or more rotors in either of two directions of rotation to provide for flight in either an upright or an inverted orientation. An orientation sensor is used to control the primary direction of thrust, and operational instructions and gathered information are automatically adapted based on the orientation of the fuselage with respect to gravity. The rotors are configured with blades that invert to conform to the direction of rotation.




ai

Dump bailer

A dump bailer for downhole placement of flowable materials in a wellbore. The dump bailer has an elongated housing with a cavity for placement of the flowable materials. The housing has an open bottom. An expendable cap or plug, of a magnetic material, is held within the open bottom by a shear pin, sufficient to hold the plug in place with the material within the cavity. An electric solenoid surrounds the plug. Energizing the solenoid coil by electric current creates a magnetic field which overcomes the shear pin and forces the plug out of the open bottom. The material may then flow out of the cavity. Alternatively, a sliding sleeve may be disposed in the open bottom, which moves from a first closed position to a second open position, in response to the magnetic field.




ai

Cement compositions containing metphosphate and methods of use

In an embodiment, the cement compositions comprise: (i) hydraulic cement, wherein the hydraulic cement has a ratio of CaO to SiO2 in the range of 2.0 to 4.0; and (ii) a water-soluble metaphosphate in a concentration of at least 2.5% bwoc. In another embodiment, the cement compositions comprise: (i) hydraulic cement, wherein the hydraulic cement has a ratio of CaO to SiO2 of less than 2.0; and (ii) a water-soluble metaphosphate; wherein any alkali nitrate is in a concentration of less than 2% bwoc; and wherein any alkali hydroxide, alkali carbonate, or alkali citrate is in a concentration of less than 0.2% bwoc. Methods of cementing in a well comprising forming either of such cement compositions and introducing it into the well are provided.




ai

Selective removal of silica from silica containing brines

A method for selective removal and recovery of silica and silicon containing compounds from solutions that include silica and silicon containing compounds, including geothermal brines. Also included are methods of preventing silica scale buildup in the geothermal power equipment and processes employing geothermal brines by the selective removal of silica.




ai

Steam assisted gravity drainage processes with the addition of oxygen

A steam assisted gravity drainage process that includes the addition of oxygen for recovering hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon reservoir is described. Steam and an oxygen-containing gas are separately and continuously injected into the hydrocarbon reservoir to heat hydrocarbons and water to drain, by gravity, to a horizontal production well. The process can include controlling the ratio of oxygen and steam from about 0.05 to about 1.00 (v/v). The steam assisted gravity drainage process can further include removing non-condensable combustion gases from the reservoir to avoid undesirable pressures in the reservoir. The non-condensable combustion gases can be removed from the reservoir by at least one separate vent-gas well.




ai

Chain release apparatuses and methods

An apparatuses and methods to release a chain. Apparatuses and methods include an electronic, mechanical, or electro-mechanical actuator system used to rotate a hooking arm. The actuator system includes an extendable piston. In some embodiments, the actuator system is hydraulic. In other embodiments, the actuator system is pneumatic.




ai

Mast safety restraint mechanism

Described herein is a safety restraint mechanism for a mast assembly. The safety restraint mechanism comprises a tension line attached to a lever and a winch mechanism such that operation of the winch mechanism translates a carriage assembly along the mast. A cam brake including an engagement profile at a first end thereon is pivotally attached to the lever at a second end. The cam brake is also pivotally attached to the carriage assembly such that the engagement profile pivots into a brake position or a free lift position relative to a tension force acting on the lever. The lever is pivotally attached to the second end and includes a kickstand. The engagement profile having a protruded portion to abut the tubes in a brake position and a relief portion to space the cam brake from the tubes in a free lift position.




ai

Fixing element for locking a hinged hand crank on the input shaft of a support winch for a semi-trailer

The invention relates to a fixing element for locking a hinged hand crank on the input shaft of a support winch for semi-trailers, wherein the hand crank is fastened to the input shaft in an articulated manner and can pivot between at least one folded-in rest position and at least one folded-out usage position. According to the invention, said fixing element has a fastening section for fastening to the hand crank and a spring bar connected to the fastening section on which at least one locking section is formed, wherein the locking section reaches over the end face of the input shaft in a form-fitting manner in a folded-out usage position of the hand crank and is simultaneously pulled against said end face of the input shaft.




ai

Container lift and leveling system

A system for vertically lifting and lowering a container relative to a supporting surface. The system includes at least two lift mechanisms wherein each mechanism includes a frame attached to the container. An elongated cylinder and piston is associated with each frame so that its axis is substantially vertical. A control circuit selectively connects a power source to each cylinder and piston to move the cylinder and piston between a retracted position in which the piston is spaced upwardly from the supporting surface and an extended position in which a foot on the piston engages the supporting surface and lifts the container upwardly from the supporting surface.




ai

Fingernail decoration kit

A fingernail decoration kit includes a pair of pivotally-joined handles that reciprocate in a scissors-like fashion. The handles open and close a pair of jaws that are each configured to releasably retain any one of a plurality of manicuring dies for either shaping or piercing a nail, or crimping a jewelry item thereto.




ai

Cap for brushing hair into a wrap style

A cap which wraps hair and protects it from tangling during sleep or other activity. The cap contains an outer layer, one or more rows of bristles of relatively resilient material for wrapping hair and at least one handle. The one or more rows of bristles of relatively resilient material brushes a wearer's hair in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction to pull the hair up into the hat in an organized manner. The one or more rows of bristles of relatively resilient material for wrapping hair may also be used to reverse the process and let hair down in an organized style.




ai

Method for treatment of hair loss with a combination of natural ingredients

The invention provides a composition for topical treatment of hair loss/alopecia including three natural, active ingredients, caffeine, saw palmetto berry extract, and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). The invention also provides methods for using this composition to treat hair loss.




ai

Hair protection, retention, and styling apparatus

A hair protection, retention and styling apparatus has a triangular shape. The left and right base corners comprise hair protection flaps that extend from either side of a rectangular hair retention channel roll. A top hair retention flap extends from the top thereof to form the top corner. A cylindrical style bar is attached near the top of the triangular body. Once a user places her hair on the channel roll, the hair protection flaps are folded in over the hair, thereby containing, retaining, and protecting the hair. The ends of the user's hair are wrapped around the style bar and the top hair retention roll is wrapped over the bar and the hair and bar are rolled approximately to the user's scalp. First and second wrap ties attach near the top of the triangular body and are used to secure the apparatus to the user's head.




ai

Hair treatment application system comprising an absorbent substrate

The present invention describes a hair treatment application system, comprising at least one or more hair treatment compositions (15) having a viscosity of from 3,000 cPs to 150,000 cPs and a hair treatment application device (1) comprising a first plate (10) and a second plate (20) positionable in a juxtaposed relationship when said hair treatment application device (1) is in a closed state. The hair treatment application device (1) is characterized by having a first zone comprising at least one absorbent substrate (40) on the internal surface (101) of said at least said first plates (10) and a second zone (50) on said internal surface (101) which is free of said absorbent substrate (40). Said at least one absorbent substrate (40) has a median pore radius of from 300 microns to 3,000 micron. The present invention describes also methods of treating the hair with said hair treatment application system (10) and kit comprising said hair treatment application system.




ai

Rapid permanent hair setting formulation, system and method

Keratinous fiber treatment formulations and methods of providing a long lasting set in keratinous fibers such as hair by applying a polymer system to the hair which provides a stable set to the hair which will last at least until the hair is thoroughly washed. The set is made more permanent by incorporating a reducing agent such as L-cysteine into the polymer system and allowing the system to air oxidize over time or optionally applying a second chemical oxidizing system to the treated hair which will accelerate the oxidation process and the setting rate of the hair.




ai

Wiper for a cosmetic container

The present invention generally relates to a wiper which can be easily inserted into neck of a cosmetic container. The wiper is fabricated from elastomeric material and comprises a plurality of collapsible members configured to collapse horizontally on an exterior surface of the wiper when under stress. The plurality of collapsible members also serves as locking features by which it can be retained in the container neck. The wiper of the present invention can be particularly advantageous for use in the field of cosmetics, especially fluid cosmetic products.




ai

Nail print apparatus and print control method thereof for fitting first design and second design that is background of first design to nail

A nail print apparatus, including: a print head which performs printing on a nail region on the basis of image data including a first design and a second design that is a background of the first design; and an image data processing unit which has a second image data processing unit that processes the image data so that the second design covers an entire nail region.




ai

Composition, method and kit for enhancing hair

Compositions for application and methods of application of a composition to modify hair. In one embodiment, a composition includes a compound (molecule) represented by: wherein A and B are individually selected from a hydrogen, a hydroxyl group and a halogen, with the proviso that when one of A and B is a hydroxyl group, the other of A and B is a hydrogen and when one of A and B is a halogen, the other of A and B is a halogen or a hydrogen;wherein Z is, for example, an aryl moiety; andwherein X1 and X2 are, for example, individually selected from a hydrogen and an alkyl moiety,wherein R1 and R2 are individually selected from an oxo, a hydroxyl or an ester group;wherein y is 0 or 1, x is 0 or 1 and x and y are not both 1, or a salt.




ai

Nail polish remover method and device

Nail polish remover strips are pre-sized for toe or fingernails and applied to a painted or artificial nail and left thereon for a predetermined period of time to dissolve the nail polish and/or nail bonding agent. Preferably a color change occurs to depict the appropriate dwelling time to dissolve the nail polish. Certain embodiments include odor reducing components. Preferably the strips are layered composites having an exterior odor impervious material, a layer of encapsulated acetone or nail polish removing agent, an absorbent layer, and a peelable backing, with the strips being sized to accommodate contact with a person's nail.




ai

Hair extension clip

A hair clip having a rectangular base frame, with a plurality of prongs forming a unitary structure with the base frame, is disclosed. A weft clip frame is fixedly attached to, or forms a unitary structure with, the base frame. The weft clips which are attached thereto form a U-shape with a portion of said U-shape on either side of the rectangular base frame and extend over an uppermost extremity of the rectangular base, while the lower end of the rectangular base has openings of prongs for attaching hair thereto. The weft clips, in embodiments, hold the weft of a hair extension between the weft clip and rectangular base, such as in a portal of the weft clip opening only towards the top of the rectangular base.




ai

Compositions and methods for permanent straightening of hair

Improved hair straightening topical compositions comprising transglutaminase, sodium metabisulfite, and a system for stabilizing the pH of the composition, and for inhibiting the generation of sulfur dioxide. Optionally, one or more additional hair straightening agents, that are capable of affecting secondary, tertiary and quaternary protein structures of human hair may be included. Optionally, polylysine may be included which, in combination with TGase, acts to form a surface barrier film and moisture shield around human hair. The invention includes methods of using such topical compositions.




ai

Toothbrush including kit for decorating said toothbrush

A kit for decorating a toothbrush includes the toothbrush having a base portion, and at least one decorative band sized to fit around the outer perimeter of the base portion of the toothbrush. A second embodiment of the kit includes the toothbrush, a writing instrument and an area designated on the base portion for marking with the writing instrument. A third embodiment of the kit includes the toothbrush, a writing instrument, an area designated on the base portion for marking with the writing implement and at least one decorative band sized to fit around the outer perimeter of the base portion of the toothbrush. Any of the kits may include at least one sticker sized to fit on the base portion of the toothbrush. Any of the kits may also include a panel including one or more stickers and/or one or more decorative bands.