Abstract:
This invention relates to the use of a water-soluble zinc salt, such as zinc acetate or zinc propionate, as an anti-viral agent in condom lubricants. Such lubricants can be coated onto condoms during manufacture and enclosed within condom packages, to provide an additional level of protection (beyond the level of protection already provided by the condom). The anti-viral zinc salt will help reduce the risk that a previously uninfected person will become infected by genital herpes viruses; it may also reduce the risk of transmission of HIV, hepatitis, and papilloma viruses, and other sexually transmitted pathogens.
Abstract:
An electric generating system uses a zeppelin filled with helium or hydrogen, and a spinnaker sail, to provide pulling power that will lift a heavy railcar to an elevated height on a track, such as on a hill or mountainside, or in an elevator-type shaft in a tall building. When the heavy car reaches the top of the track, it is released, and its descent drives an electric generator. The generator can be carried by the car, and can send the power to batteries on the car, or to conductive rails. Alternately, if the car is inert weight, cables can drive stationary generators. The zeppelin will be inflated and deflated repeatedly, using equipment to recapture energy during each gas expansion, to help drive subsequent recompression into high-pressure tanks. The spinnaker sail will use a cable-handling device and spreader bars to deploy the sail and keep it at an elevated height. Various advantages are provided compared to wind turbines and pumped-storage hydroelectric facilities.
Abstract:
A system is disclosed for lifting a rocket into the upper atmosphere and establishing forward flight at several hundred miles per hour, before the rocket engines are ignited and the rocket is released from the lifting system. The main subassemblies of this lifting system comprise: (1) an array of large helium-filled dirigibles, of a size that can provide hundreds or thousands of tons of lifting force; (2) a tank-holding assembly that will be tethered to the dirigibles, and that will contain pumps and high-pressure tanks, to recapture and store the helium for use in subsequent launches; and, (3) a winged platform, with wings that can be rotated vertically during liftoff, and horizontally to establish forward flight after a desired altitude has been reached, and having conventional aircraft engines on each wing. This system enables safer, less expensive, and more efficient launching of rockets and heavy payloads into space, using easily reusable subassemblies.
Abstract:
This invention relates to the use of water-soluble zinc salts as anti-viral agents in condom lubricants. Such zinc-containing anti-viral lubricants can be coated onto condoms during manufacture and enclosed in sealed watertight packages containing the lubricated condoms. Preferred lubricants contain at least one water-soluble lubricating agent, such as glycerin or polyethylene glycol, and a suitable zinc salt, as well as some quantity of water to promote ionization of the salt and release of zinc ions (Zn++). If water is used, such lubricants may also contain a thickening or suspending agent, such as a cellulose derivative, a natural gum compound, or a hydrophilic polymer, to provide a gel; alternately, the carrier may be a different type of water-containing formulation, such as a cream, emulsion, or ointment. Suitable zinc salts include water-soluble organic salts having relatively low molecular weights (including zinc acetate, butyrate, gluconate, glycerate, glycolate, lactate, propionate, etc.). Highly ionizing inorganic salts, such as zinc chloride or sulfate, can also be used in some formulations. Preferred salts are those which cause no detectable irritation. The zinc-containing condom lubricants described herein are intended to reduce the risk of infection by a sexually transmitted pathogen, in a user who may be at risk.
Abstract:
A method is disclosed for reducing the risk of infection by sexually transmitted viruses. This method involves spreading a lubricant fluid containing a selected zinc salt across the surfaces of the penis or vagina, before intercourse, in a manner that causes the lubricant to coat and remain in contact with the genital surfaces throughout intercourse. The zinc salt should be organic, water-soluble, non-irritating, physiologically acceptable, and have a high rate of dissociation, which allows it to release substantial quantities of divalent zinc ions. Suitable zinc salts include zinc acetate, zinc propionate, zinc butyrate, zinc formate, zinc gluconate, zinc glycerate, zinc glycolate, and zinc lactate. A preferred carrier fluid comprises a lubricant gel, which also contains water, a thickening agent (such as chemically treated cellulose) and a lubricating agent (such as glycerin). The lubricant formulation must be free of heparin, dextran sulfate, or any other component that poses a substantial risk of adverse effects if the lubricant is used frequently and repeatedly over a period of months or years. The lubricants disclosed herein preferably should be used with condoms, to enhance the risk-reducing effectiveness of condoms and provide maximum protection; however, these lubricants can also be used without condoms, if desired.