All The Claims

1. A flexible package comprising:
(a) a package surrounding wall having a mouth providing access to a package interior;
(b) a resealable closure mechanism along said mouth for selective closing and opening of said mouth; said resealable closure mechanism including first and second closure profiles;
(i) said first closure profile including: a first closure member; a first guidepost; a first sealing flange; a first catch integral with said first closure member; and a first shoulder; said first shoulder being between said first guidepost and said first sealing flange; said first closure profile also including a first flange member cantilevered from said first closure profile opposite said first closure member;
(ii) said second closure profile including: a second closure member; a second guidepost; a second sealing flange; a second catch integral with said second closure member; and a second shoulder; said second shoulder being between said second guidepost and said second sealing flange; said first and second catches being constructed and arranged for selective interlocking; said second closure profile also including a second flange member cantilevered from said second closure profile opposite said second closure member; and

(c) a slider device operably mounted on said resealable closure mechanism for selectively closing and opening said resealable closure mechanism by moving said slider device relative to said resealable closure mechanism in opposite first and second directions; said slider device including:
(i) a top wall;
(ii) a first sidewall depending from said top wall; said first sidewall having first and second opposite ends; said first sidewall defining a first slide channel for receiving said first flange member cantilevered from said first closure profile; said first slide channel having a first guide construction for accommodating said first flange member; and said first sidewall is constructed and arranged to slidably engage said first shoulder when said slider device is moved along said resealable closure mechanism;
(iii) a second sidewall depending from said top wall; said second sidewall having first and second opposite ends; said second sidewall defining a second slide channel for receiving said second flange member cantilevered from said second closure profile; said second slide channel having a second guide construction for accommodating said second flange member; and said second sidewall is constructed and arranged to slidably engage said second shoulder when said slider device is moved along said resealable closure mechanism;
(iv) said first and second closure profiles being constructed and arranged to interlock when said slider device is moved in said first direction.
2. The flexible package of claim 1, wherein:
(a) said first slide channel is constructed and arranged to engage said first flange member when said slider device is moved in said second direction; and
(b) said second slide channel is constructed and arranged to engage said second flange member when said slider device is moved in said second direction;
(i) said first and second closure profiles being constructed and arranged to disengage when said slider device is moved in said second direction.
3. The flexible package according to claim 2, wherein:
(a) said first slide channel has a first contoured inner surface; said first contoured inner surface being constructed and arranged to engage said first flange member when said slider device is moved in said second direction; and
(b) said second slide channel has a second contoured inner surface; said second contoured inner surface being constructed and arranged to engage said second flange member when said slider device is moved in said second direction.
4. The flexible package according to claim 3, wherein:
(a) said first contoured inner surface includes a first protrusion located substantially near said first end of said first sidewall; said first protrusion being constructed and arranged to engage said first flange member when said slider device is moved in said second direction; and
(b) said second contoured inner surface includes a second protrusion located substantially near said first end of said second sidewall; said second protrusion being constructed and arranged to engage said second flange member when said slider device is moved in a second direction.
5. The flexible package according to claim 1, wherein:
(a) said first and second sidewalls are tapered such that said first and second closure profiles are biased into engagement when said slider device is moved in said first direction.
6. The flexible package according to claim 1, wherein:
(a) said first and second sidewalls are tapered such that said first and second closure profiles are separated when said slider device is moved in said second direction.
7. The flexible package according to claim 1, wherein:
(a) said first sidewall has a hook construction to slidably cover and engage said first shoulder when said slider device is moved in a second direction; and
(b) said second sidewall has a second hook construction to slidably cover and engage said second shoulder when said slider device is moved in a second direction.
8. A reclosable closure mechanism comprising:
(a) a first closure profile having: a first closure member; a first guidepost; a first sealing flange; a first catch integral with said first closure member; and a first shoulder; said first shoulder being between said first guidepost and said first sealing flange; said first closure profile also including a first flange member cantilevered from said first closure profile opposite said first closure member;
(b) a second closure profile having: a second closure member; a second guidepost; a second sealing flange; a second catch integral with said second closure member; and a second shoulder; said second shoulder being between said second guidepost and said second sealing flange; said first and second catches being constructed and arranged for selective interlocking; said second closure profile also including a second flange member cantilevered from said second closure profile opposite said second closure member; and
(c) a slider device operably mounted on said first and second closure profiles for selectively closing and opening said reclosable closure mechanism by moving said slider device relative to said reclosable closure mechanism in opposite first and second directions; said slider device including:
(i) a top wall;
(ii) a first sidewall depending from said top wall; said first sidewall having first and second opposite ends; said first sidewall defining a first slide channel for receiving said first flange member cantilevered from said first closure profile; said first slide channel having a first guide construction for accommodating said first flange member and said first sidewall is constructed and arranged to slidably engage said first shoulder when said slider device is moved along said resealable closure mechanism;
(iii) a second sidewall depending from said top wall; said second sidewall having first and second opposite ends; said second sidewall defining a second slide channel for receiving said second flange member cantilevered from said second closure profile; said second slide channel having a second guide construction for accommodating said second flange member; and said second sidewall is constructed and arranged to slidably engage said second shoulder when said slider device is moved alone said resealable closure mechanism; and
(iv) said first and second closure profiles being constructed and arranged to interlock when said slider device is moved in said first direction.
9. The reclosable closure mechanism of claim 8, wherein:
(a) said first slide channel is constructed and arranged to engage said first flange member when said slider device is moved in said second direction; and
(b) said second slide channel further being constructed and arranged to engage said second flange member when said slider device is moved in said second direction;
(i) said first and second closure profiles being constructed and arranged to disengage when said slider device is moved in said second direction.
10. The reclosable closure mechanism of claim 9, wherein:
(a) said first slide channel has a first contoured inner surface; said first contoured inner surface being constructed and arranged to engage said first flange member when said slider device is moved in said second direction; and
(b) said second slide channel has a second contoured inner surface; said second contoured inner surface being constructed and arranged to engage said second flange member when said slider device is moved in said second direction.
11. The reclosable closure mechanism according to claim 10, wherein:
(a) said first contoured inner surface includes a first protrusion located substantially near said first end of said first sidewall; said first protrusion being constructed and arranged to engage said first flange member when said slider device is moved in said second direction; and
(b) said second contoured inner surface includes a second protrusion located substantially hear said first end of said second sidewall; said second protrusion being constructed and arranged to engage said second flange member when said slider device is moved in a second direction.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. Method of producing an imaged lithographic printing plate comprising:
(a) imagewise exposing a lithographic printing plate precursor comprising
(i) a substrate,
(ii) a radiation-sensitive coating comprising one or more layers, and
(iii) optionally an oxygen-impermeable overcoat, to radiation for which the radiation-sensitive coating is sensitive;

(b) treating the imagewise exposed precursor with an aqueous developer to remove non-image areas of the radiation-sensitive coating and to provide a protective gumming in a single step, the aqueous developer having a pH value of >6 and comprising

(i) water,
(ii) at least one hydrophilic polymer, comprising:
(m1) structural units derived from at least one compound comprising both a polyalkylene oxide chain and a free radical polymerizable group, which (m1) structural units are present in the hydrophilic polymer in an amount of from 5 weight % to 95 weight %, and
(m2) structural units derived from at least one compound copolymerizable with the free radical polymerizable group of (m1) and comprising at least one acidic group with pKs<5, wherein the acidic functional group(s) can be present as free acid group(s) or in salt form, which (m2) structural units are present in the hydrophilic polymer in an amount of from 5 weight % to 95 weight %,

(iii) optionally at least one member selected from surfactants, alkaline reagents, water-soluble film forming hydrophilic polymers, additives selected from organic solvents, biocides, complexing agents, buffer substances, filter dyes, antifoaming agents, anticorrosive agents and radical inhibitors; and
(c) optionally at least one step selected from rinsing with water, drying, and baking,
wherein the hydrophilic polymer (ii) further comprises structural units (m3) derived from at least one kind of monomer that contains at least one free radical polymerizable group but that does neither contain an acidic group with pKs<5 nor a polyalkylene oxide chain.
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the radiation-sensitive coating is present on a substrate without interlayer.
3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the radiation-sensitive coating is sensitive to radiation of a wavelength selected from the range of 250 to 750 nm and in (a) the precursor is imagewise exposed to radiation of a wavelength selected from the range of 250 to 750 nm.
4. Method according to claim 1, wherein the radiation-sensitive coating is sensitive to radiation of a wavelength selected from the range of more than 750 to 1200 nm and in (a) the precursor is imagewise exposed to radiation of a wavelength selected from the range of more than 750 to 1200 nm.
5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic polymer (ii) comprises structural units (m1) derived from at least one compound selected from poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate; poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate; poly(propylene glycol) methacrylate, poly(propylene glycol) acrylate; monoesters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid with block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; reaction product of 2,4-toluenediisocyanate-terminated polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol or block copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol or poly(ethylene glycol-ran-propylene oxide) with hydroxyethylacrylate, hydroxyethylmethacrylate, or allyl alcohol; monoreaction products of isocyanatoethyl acrylate or isocyanatoethyl methacrylate with polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol or block copolymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol or poly(ethylene glycol-ran-propylene oxide); reaction products made by esterification or etherification of poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate or poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate.
6. Method according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic polymer (ii) comprises structural units (m2) derived from at least one compound selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid anhydride ring opened with C1 to C6 alcohols, vinyl benzoic acid, vinylphosphonic acid, vinylsulfonic acid, vinylbenzenesulfonic acid, monoester of either hydroxyethyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate or allylalcohol of phosphoric acid, monoester of phosphoric acid with ethylene glycol methacrylate or ethylene glycol acrylate, monoester of phosphoric acid with polyethylene glycol methacrylate or polyethylene glycol acrylate, sulfopropyl(meth)acryloylethyl dialkylammonium hydroxide.
7. Method according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic polymer (ii) further comprises structural units (m3) derived from at least one monomer selected from acrylamide, n-vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl acetate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate and allyl alcohol.
8. Method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous developer has a pH of 10 to 14.
9. Method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous developer comprises a surfactant.
10. Method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous developer comprises an alkaline reagent.
11. Method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous developer comprises a water-soluble film forming hydrophilic polymer selected from dextrines and sugar alcohols.
12. Method according to claim 1, wherein the precursor comprises an oxygen-impermeable overcoat that is removed between (a) and (b).
13. Method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises a preheat step between (a) and (b).
14. Aqueous developer with a pH value >6, comprising at least one hydrophilic polymer as defined in claim 1, and at least one alkaline reagent.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the precursor comprises an oxygen-impermeable overcoat that is removed during (b) with the aqueous developer.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein, after (b), the precursor is dried without baking or rinsing.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein, after (b), the precursor is rinsed and dried without baking.

1. A stringed musical instrument, comprising:
a composite string comprising a first elongate segment and a second e1ongate segment joined end-to-end, the second segment being more pliable in bending than the first segment;
a string mounting system, the mounting system having a pivot member; and
at least one vibration separator, a mount zone being defined on one side of the separator, a playing zone defined on the opposite side of the separator, and the composite string is drawn across the vibration separator;
wherein the second segment is at least partially wrapped about the pivot member so that the direction of the composite string changes at the pivot; and
wherein the vibration separator is configured so that string vibrations are substantially blocked from being communicated across the separator.
2. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 1, wherein the pivot member is disposed in the mount zone.
3. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 2, wherein the first segment extends through the playing zone, and the second segment is disposed in the mount zone.
4. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 3, wherein the pivot member comprises a tuning knob.
5. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 3, wherein the pivot member comprises a pulley.
6. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 5, wherein the second segment is joined end-to-end in the mount zone with a third elongate string segment, and the third segment extends through the playing zone, and the second segment is more pliable in bending than is the third segment.
7. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 6, wherein the first segment communicates with an anchor, and the third segment communicates with a tensioner, wherein tension in the first and third segments is substantially the same.
8. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 7, wherein substantially no tension in the composite string is applied to bending the second segment about the pulley.
9. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 8, wherein each of the first and third string segments is configured to emit a musical note when vibrating at its corresponding harmonic frequency, and the emitted notes of the respective string segments differ in accordance with a relative tuning pattern.
10. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 6 additionally comprising a second mount zone defined on a side of the playing zone opposite the first mount zone, a second pulley being arranged in the second mount zone, and a fourth segment is attached end-to-end to the first segment in the second mount zone, wherein the fourth segment is at least partially wrapped about the second pulley.
11. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 10, wherein the composite string is arranged in a continuous loop.
12. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 11, wherein at least one of the pulleys is linearly movable, and moving the movable pulley a predetermined linear distance changes the tension in the composite string.
13. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 3, wherein the first and second segments are formed separately from one another.
14. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 3, wherein the second segment has a width and a thickness, and the width is greater than the thickness.
15. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 14, wherein the second segment comprises a plurality of longitudinally-extending filaments.
16. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 14, wherein the first and second segments are formed separately from one another and are selectively detachable from one another.
17. A stringed musical instrument, comprising:
a composite string comprising a first elongate segment and a second elongate segment joined end-to-end, the first and second segments being formed separately from one another and being selectively detachable from one another, the second segment being more pliable in bending than the first segment; and
a string mounting system, the mounting system having a pivot member;
wherein the second segment is at least partially wrapped about the pivot member so that the direction of the composite string changes at the pivot.
18. A stringed musical instrument, comprising:
a composite string comprising a first elongate segment and a second elongate segment joined end-to-end, the first and second segments being formed separately from one another, the second segment having a width and a thickness, the width is being greater than the thickness, the second segment being more pliable in bending than the first segment; and
a string mounting system, the mounting system having a pivot member;
wherein the second segment is at least partially wrapped about the pivot member so that the direction of the composite string changes at the pivot.
19. A stringed musical instrument, comprising:
a composite string comprising a first elongate segment and a second elongate segment joined end-to-end, the first and second segments being formed separately from one another, the second segment comprising a plurality of longitudinally-extending filaments and being more pliable in bending than the first segment; and
a sting mounting system, the mounting system having a pivot member;
wherein the second segment is at least partially wrapped about the pivot member so that the direction of the composite string changes at the pivot.
20. A stringed musical instrument, comprising:
a composite string comprising a plurality of musical string segments and a plurality of bending string segments, a bending segment being interposed between adjacent musical segments;
a string mounting system having a plurality of pivots, the composite string at least partially wrapped about the pivots so that a direction of the composite string changes at each pivot, the mounting system configured so that the bending segments engage the pivots and the musical segments do not engage the pivots;
wherein each musical string segment has a harmonic frequency corresponding to a string tension and a string length so that vibration of the musical string segment at the harmonic frequency emits sound at a corresponding musical note;
wherein each bending segment is more pliable in bending than the adjacent musical segments;
wherein the string mounting system is configured to hold each string segment at a desired tension so that the plurality of musical string segments are tuned so that each of the musical segments emits a different musical note in accordance with a relative tuning pattern when the composite string is held at a tension; and
a string tension adjustment system configured to simultaneously change the tension of each of the plurality of string segments in a manner so that the emitted musical notes of the musical string segments change with the changing tension, but the relative tuning pattern of the notes emitted by the respective musical string segments remains substantially the same.
21. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 20, wherein the tension adjustment system is configured so that actuation of the adjustment system changes the tension in one of the segments to a greater degree than in another of the segments.
22. A stringed musical instrument as in claim 21, wherein the musical instrument comprises at least two groups of string segments, each group comprising at least two segments, wherein the string segments within each group maintain substantially the same proportional tension relationship.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A shower system that is attachable to a shower head, the shower head comprising an input interface for receiving a fluid flow from a water source and an output interface for delivering the fluid flow to the user, the personal hygiene system comprising:
a connector comprising:
a connector housing comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway extending therebetween, wherein the connector inlet is configured to receive a fluid flow directly from the output interface of the shower head and is configured to deliver the fluid into the passageway;
wherein the inlet comprises a threaded shaft for threadedly connecting the connector housing to the output interface of the shower head;
a valve positioned within the passageway of the connector housing and movable between a first position and a second position, the valve comprising at least one aperture to allow the flow of fluid out of the outlet of the connector housing;
a valve seat positioned within the passageway to position the valve within the passageway when the valve is in the first position;
an attachment device comprising a first open end and a second open end, wherein the first open end further comprises at least one radial opening, wherein the first open end is attachable to the outlet of the connector housing for receiving the flow of fluid so as to move the valve to the second position to allow fluid to flow around the valve and into the at least one radial opening;

a flexible fluid conduit having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is coupled to the second open end of the attachment device to receive the fluid flow from the shower head;
a douching applicator that is removably coupled to the distal end of the fluid conduit for directing the fluid flow to a target area;
a non-douching applicator that is configured to be removably coupled to the distal end of the fluid conduit; and
a package for storing the connector, flexible fluid conduit, the douching applicator and the non-douching applicator.
2. The shower system of claim 1, wherein the attachment device is removably attachable to the connector housing.
3. The shower system of claim 1 wherein removal of the attachment device allows fluid flow to exit the outlet of the housing only through the at least one aperture in the valve.
4. The shower system of claim 1 wherein the fluid conduit is threadedly, adhesively, snap fit, pressure fit, or taper fit to the attachment device.
5. The shower system of claim 1 wherein the valve comprises a contoured wafer valve comprising a plurality of openings for regulating flow of the fluid through the fluid conduit.
6. The shower system of claim 1 wherein the non-douching applicator comprises a brush.
7. The shower system of claim 6 wherein the brush comprises a handle coupled to a head that comprises a cleaning element,
wherein the head comprises one or more openings adjacent the cleaning element that is in fluid communication with a fluid lumen that extends from a proximal end of the handle, wherein the fluid lumen in the handle is coupleable to the fluid conduit to receive the fluid flow from the shower head.
8. The shower system of claim 7 wherein the brush comprises a soap chamber in communication with the fluid lumen.
9. The shower system of claim 7 wherein the cleaning element is removably coupled to the head.
10. The shower system of claim 6 wherein the brush comprises a handle coupled to a head that comprises a bristles:
wherein the head comprises one or more openings adjacent the bristles that are in fluid communication with a fluid lumen that extends from a proximal end of the handle, wherein the fluid lumen in the handle is coupleable to the fluid conduit.
11. The shower system of claim 10 wherein the brush comprises a soap chamber in communication with the fluid lumen.
12. The shower system of claim 1 wherein the non-douching applicator comprises a body coupled to a luffa sponge,
wherein the body comprises a lumen that comprises a first opening for receiving a fluid flow from the flexible conduit, and a second opening for delivering the fluid flow through pores in the luffa sponge.
13. The shower system of claim 1 wherein the non-douching applicator comprises a water toothpick or a water toothbrush.
14. A method of using a shower system, the method comprising:
providing a shower head comprising an input interface for receiving a fluid flow from a water source and an output interface for delivering the fluid flow to the user;
coupling a connector housing comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a passageway extending therebetween, wherein the connector housing inlet is configured to receive a fluid flow directly from the output interface of the shower head and is configured to deliver the fluid out of the outlet;
coupling a first end of a flexible fluid conduit to the outlet of the connector housing;
removably attaching a first applicator to a second end of the flexible fluid conduit to receive a fluid flow from the flexible fluid conduit;
delivering a fluid flow from the shower head through the connector housing, flexible fluid conduit and the first applicator to deliver the fluid flow to a target area;
stopping the fluid flow;
replacing the first applicator with a second, different applicator; and
delivering a fluid flow through the connector housing, flexible fluid conduit and the second applicator.
15. The method of claim 21 wherein coupling a connector housing comprises threadedly connecting the connector housing to the output interface of the shower head.
16. The method of claim 21 wherein one of the first and second applicators is a douching applicator.
17. The method of claim 21 wherein the first and second applicators are a douching applicator, a water toothpick, a water toothbrush, a brush, a luffa sponge.
18. The method of claim 21 wherein at least one of the first and second applicators comprise a chamber for receiving a soap or cleaning agent.
19. A shower system comprising:
a connector that comprises a threaded shaft, wherein the threaded shaft is configured to be received by an output interface of a shower head;
a flexible fluid conduit that is coupleable to the connector to receive a fluid flow from the shower head; and
a plurality of different applicators that are configured to be removably attached to the flexible fluid conduit.
20. The shower system of claim 26 wherein the plurality of different applicators comprise a douching applicator and a non-douching applicator.
21. The shower system of claim 26 wherein the non-douching applicator comprises a water toothbrush, a water toothpick, a brush or a luffa sponge.