Did You Know...
...that in the early 1940s GE engineer James Wright was charged with a task of utmost importance to the war effort: develop a cheap substitute for rubber that could be used to produce tires, gas masks and a whole host of military gear. Wright tackled the task diligently -- and wound up inventing Silly Putty.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 6117658 | Methods of making polyhydroxyalkanoates comprising 4-hydroxybutyrate monomer units The PHA biosynthetic pathway is combined with a succinic semialdehyde metabolic pathway that metabolizes succinic semialdehyde via a 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA intermediate in order to produce high levels of PHA comprising 4HB monomer units. This combination is... | 09/12/2000 |
| 5892001 | Epithelium-derived T-cell factor antibodies Nucleic acid sequences which encode biologically active ETF, expression vectors which direct the expression of ETF, ETF polypeptides, antibodies which specifically bind ETF and processes for preparing the same are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for... | 04/06/1999 |
| 5588147 | Replication facility A replication facility provides for the replication of files or portions of files in a distributed environment. The replication facility is able to replicate any subtree within a distributed namespace of the distributed environment. The replication facili... | 12/24/1996 |
| 5519855 | Summary catalogs A system provides support for the use of summary catalog data structures. In particular, the system defines such summary catalogs as data structures and provides standardized methods for operating on the data structures. The summary catalogs provide a con... | 05/21/1996 |
| 5511923 | Container terminal apparatus and method A method and apparatus for ASRS handling of loaded and empty oceangoing containers. Containers are stored in a multi-level loaded container facility in upland and pier banks of spaced rows and columns in a grill-like arrangement with each container in a p... | 04/30/1996 |
| 5506130 | Multiple stage affinity process for isolation of specific cells from a cell mixture Desired cells are positively separated from a mixture of cells using multiple stages of affinity surfaces. Bound cells from each surface are removed and subjected to a further surface for further enrichment.... | 04/09/1996 |
| 5504889 | Method and system for monitoring file attributes using bitmaps to determine group membership of files and to determine which files have been processed A method and system for monitoring attributes of files, such as whether a file has been read, in a computer system includes a file index organized into groups, with at least one group including one or more files. The computer system also includes a number... | 04/02/1996 |
| 5502297 | Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a surface bearing a bar code symbol A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a surface which may bear a bar code symbol. The apparatus generates a series of pulses having a duty cycle which depends upon whether light reflected from a surface bearing a bar code symbol has been de... | 03/26/1996 |
| 5480915 | Molded closure for a liquid container A molded closure for a liquid container comprising a thermoplastic elastomer and a blowing agent. The molded closure is particularly suitable for use as a synthetic wine cork in a wine bottle. The molded closure does not permit passage of oxygen into the ... | 01/02/1996 |
| 5461701 | System and method for peripheral data transfer A system and method for increasing the rate of data transfer from a host computer to a peripheral without the need for special hardware within the host computer or a special interface cable coupling the host computer to the peripheral. Some simple hardwar... | 10/24/1995 |
| 5442569 | Method and apparatus for system characterization and analysis using finite element methods A method and apparatus for analyzing and producing systems based upon finite element modeling and partial differential equations is presented. The apparatus includes the capability for parallel processing and decomposition of a model into parts. The metho... | 08/15/1995 |
| 5432924 | Method and system for selectively applying an appropriate object ownership model A method and system for applying an appropriate object ownership model is provided. In a preferred embodiment, an operating system selectively applies an object ownership model with which running programs are compatible. This permits programs designed to ... | 07/11/1995 |
| 5426729 | Method and system for nonuniformly adjusting a predefined shape A method and system for adjusting at position of an adjustable portion of a predefined shape. The predefined shape is displayed on a display with an adjust handle positioned near a reference point on the predefined shape. The position of the adjustable po... | 06/20/1995 |
| 5418956 | Method and system for avoiding selector loads An improved method and system for reducing the number of segment register loads that occur during the transfer of control from an application program to an operating system routine is provided. In preferred embodiments on an Intel 80386 processor, an appl... | 05/23/1995 |
| 5414445 | Ergonomic pointing device An ergonomic pointing device is disclosed and described. Specific criteria, for example height, length, curvature, and relative positions of device elements, such as keys and a high point, define a configuration of a preferred embodiment of the present in... | 05/09/1995 |
| 5412599 | Null consumption, nonvolatile, programmable switch A null consumption CMOS switch which may be set by nonvolatile programming is formed by a pair of complementary transistors preferably having a common drain and a common gate. The common gate is coupled to the floating gate a programmable and erasable, no... | 05/02/1995 |
| 5410292 | Method and system for communicating information within a dwelling or a property A method for communicating information and commands within a dwelling or a property between several items of electrical equipment connected to an electrical distribution circuit equipping the dwelling, by injecting onto said distribution circuit carrier c... | 04/25/1995 |
| 5410410 | Non-contact type measuring device for measuring three-dimensional shape using optical probe A sensor unit of an optical probe includes an illuminating device having an illuminating point arranged on the central portion of a detective surface facing a to-be-measured object, and eight light receiving devices arranged on the x and y axes in the det... | 04/25/1995 |
| 5410705 | Method for generating an object data structure layout for a class in a compiler for an object-oriented programming language A method for a computer compiler for an object-oriented programming language for implementing virtual functions and virtual base classes is provided. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the data structure layout of an object includes a virt... | 04/25/1995 |
| 5409955 | Compositions and methods for inhibiting uterine contractility There is disclosed a composition for inhibiting uterine contractility by topical or local administration. The composition contains an omega fatty acid in combination with a cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor. Preferred omega fatty acids include docosahexaenoic aci... | 04/25/1995 |
| 5408148 | Sense amplifier for programmable memories with a virtually enhanced source of signal The discriminating sensitivity of a sense amplifier and the speed of the circuit are increased by exploiting the difference of potential which develops across the output nodes of the two control circuits, employed for enabling/disabling current paths of t... | 04/18/1995 |
| 5408436 | Circuit structure having distributed registers with self-timed reading and writing operations The circuit structure comprises a series of storage units, a data bus, an address bus, a line for a reading/writing signal, a precharge logic suitable for precharging the address bus with a precharge address and a precharge sensor suitable for enabling th... | 04/18/1995 |
| 5403067 | Back support for a chair or seat A back support for supporting the back of a seated person, comprising a concave shell having sides extending forwardly of the shell and straps extending between the sides to define a back support surface, the straps being of adjustable length between the ... | 04/04/1995 |
| 5404493 | Method and computer system for processing keycode data and symbol code data in a bar code device A method and system for the data entry of bar code data into computer programs that are designed to accept bar code data (reader application programs) and for the data entry of bar code data into computer programs that are not designed to accept bar code ... | 04/04/1995 |
| 5400608 | Humidity control system A humidity control system is provided for controlling the humidity of the air confined within a container. The humidity control system includes sensors for determining the temperature of the air both within and outside the container. The sensors are also ... | 03/28/1995 |
| 5401207 | Crab butchering machine A crab processing machine has conveyed crab-gripping carriers which move a crab through a loading station, a measuring station, a mandible/carapace/tail removal station, a body cavity cleaning station, a gilling station, a splitting station, and a dischar... | 03/28/1995 |
| 5387170 | Resistance training machine An exercise device having a coupling member movable by the user between rest and end limit of travel positions, a constant weight, and a weight-lifting arm operatively connected to the weight and movable through a vertical plane to move the weight between... | 02/07/1995 |
| 5378624 | Methods for removing ligands from a particle surface A method is provided for removing a second ligand from a particle surface without substantially affecting the particle surface, comprising the step of exposing the particle to a first ligand immobilized onto a support, wherein the particle is exposed unde... | 01/03/1995 |
| 5365793 | Equipment and method for environmental testing of bituminous specimens A testing system for determining the water sensitivity of a compacted asphalt concrete specimen under various conditions isolates the specimen on a test stand in an environmental cabinet by an impervious shroud and end platens connected to an external flu... | 11/22/1994 |
| 5367617 | System and method of hybrid forward differencing to render Bezier splines A high speed and memory efficient system and method for rendering Bezier curves. The system utilizes a hybrid forward differencing function representing the Bezier curve defined by the Bezier control points and renders the curve with a small number of str... | 11/22/1994 |
| 5363822 | Assembly and method of using a multi-part piston with a removable head A multi-part piston assembly for an internal-combustion engine having at least one cylinder. The assembly has a skirt with a threaded member connected thereto, the skirt being adapted to fit into the cylinder for reciprocal movement, and has a removable p... | 11/15/1994 |
| 5359338 | Linear conformal antenna array for scanning near end-fire in one direction A linear conformal array antenna consisting of double-ridged waveguide elements which are all tapered in the E-plane or the H-plane. The array of waveguide elements is fed by a Gent lens whose amplitude and phase characteristics can be adjusted to cause t... | 10/25/1994 |
| 5354248 | Exercise apparatus An exercise apparatus having a vertically movable weight, and an input pedal mechanism engaged by the user to input an input power with a unidirectional exercise force at a user-selected velocity for moving the weight upward. Also included is a brake appl... | 10/11/1994 |
| 5340406 | Method for removing contaminants from soil A method and apparatus for removing contaminants from soil by a closed-loop, counter-current extraction process is disclosed. The process involves a preliminary water removal step, followed by a counter-current leaching of the contaminants from the soil b... | 08/23/1994 |
| 5339432 | Method and system for providing user control of device driver configuration A method and system for providing a user with interactive control of device driver configuration. In a preferred embodiment, during configuration of a device driver composed of multiple component drivers, each of a plurality of available component drivers... | 08/16/1994 |
| 5330383 | Fish transfer mechanism The fish transfer mechanism in which a fish slides down a smooth inclined plate and engages an upright protruding rotation pin. The head end of a fish rides up on a head guide. The rotation pin and the effect of gravity tends to rotate the fish from its t... | 07/19/1994 |
| 5327812 | Fluid-powered actuator and method of attaching mounting plates A fluid-powered actuator having a body with a shaft adapted for coupling to an external device to provide rotational drive thereto. A piston sleeve is mounted for reciprocal longitudinal movement within the body to provide rotational drive to the shaft. A... | 07/12/1994 |
| 5327379 | Current offset sense amplifier of a modulated current or current unbalance type for programmable memories A modulated-current offset-type or currentunbalance, offset-type sense amplifier for reading programmable memory cells employs loads identical to each other and a differential input pair of transistors of the differential amplifier are "cross-coupled" wit... | 07/05/1994 |
| 5325649 | Easily-assembled housing structure and connectors thereof A housing structure is assembled from panels having interlocking connectors, each connector having a tongue and a groove, a central recess, and end flanges, the connectors being attached to posts of adjacent panels with the tongue of one connector interlo... | 07/05/1994 |
| 5327562 | Method for implementing virtual function tables in a compiler for an object-oriented programming language A method for a computer compiler for an object-oriented programming language for implementing virtual functions is provided. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the virtual function table for a class contains a tile table and a plurality of... | 07/05/1994 |
