Abstract: A dry powdered animal repellent that does not harm animals or plants. The repellant uses dried and powdered blood meal mixed with chili powder and/or cayenne pepper. The repellant is mixed together in a large moisture resistant container and then sprinkled around or into the soil around plants or into a tunnel opening formed by a rodent. In the first embodiment, designed to repel dogs and cats, the composition contains a 60%/40% (w/w) mixture of blood meal and chili powder (with 10% or less moisture content) with the chili powder being made from peppers with a heat rating of at least 85,000 Scoville units or greater. In the second embodiment, the concentration of blood meal to chili powder is increased to 80%/20% (w/w) respectively, to promote greater plant growth and for greater absorption into worms or grubs living in the soil.

Abstract: A wood kiln system and method that sequentially cures and dries layers of stacked wood during which each layer of wood is heated to 125 to 170 deg. F. as the kiln container is evacuated to approximately 13 inches of Hg for 8 to 12 hrs. After the wood has been cured, drying stage is commenced as the wood is continuously heated by evacuating the kiln container to 0.35 to 3 inches of Hg for 6 to 12 hrs. During the drying stage, a cold water bath is formed in the bottom of the kiln container. A condensation tank located between the vacuum pump and the kiln is used to continuously remove the water and water vapor from the kiln container. In one embodiment, the vacuum pump includes a primary vacuum pump serially connected to an auxiliary vacuum pump that allows the air to be continuously and gradually reduced in the kiln container.

Abstract: A watercraft that uses a hybrid hull that has two asymmetrical front hull sections that gradually transition rearward and form two symmetrical rear hull sections separated by a tunnel. The two front hull sections are longitudinally aligned on opposite sides of the hull's center axis and form a front pickle. Each front hull section includes a flat, vertically aligned inboard surface that intersects with a conical shaped span deck that extends along the bottom of the hull and terminates at a transversely aligned front landing door or front transom. The lower edge of each front hull section gradually curves rearward and downward forming a shape keel. The two rear hull sections are v-shaped longitudinally aligned with the two front hull sections with a narrow tunnel formed between them that communicates with the span deck. Formed on each rear hull section is a delta surface with a skeg attached thereto.

Abstract: A method for designing and estimating the cost of constructing a food equipment area that uses a computer with a specifically designed software program loaded into its memory that provides a visual interface showing the layout of a food preparation area in which food equipment will be installed. The program allows the user to drag and drop various pieces of food equipment into the layout. As the different pieces of food equipment are added, the layout area is immediately updated along with the accompanying technical and quotation data sheets. The layout can be changed to show many variations of the same project. During use, the rough dimensions and the locations of the existing water, gas, electrical, and drain connections can be imputed enabling the customer to identify what change, if any, must be made in order to install the equipment. The software program also provides a list of additional components that must be used in order for the selected equipment to be use.

Abstract: An earth fill retaining wall system that uses a removable L-shaped bracket and one or more support boards that temporarily holds the front surface of a mesh cover panel vertical aligned while backfilled with fill material. The brackets hold the mesh cover panel until tiers are stacked above. The weight of the stack tiers are used to hold the mesh cover panel on each lower tier in place. Once the above stacked tiers are formed, the brackets can be removed and reused. Attached to the lower end of the post and extending in the opposite direction of the base is an optional support shoe. A hole is formed in the shoe that receives a vertical stake or pin driven into the ground to temporarily hold the bracket in place. Attached to the post is a loop that attaches to a chain or cable used to pull the bracket forward.

Abstract: A self-regenerating bio-gas treatment system that uses the bio-gas instead of atmospheric are as media transport between adsorber and desorber tanks. Each tank includes at least four horizontally stacked and evenly spaced apart, perforated trays each capable being filled with fluidized carbon which migrates downward in the adsorber tank to remove contaminants from the bio-gas. With the bio-gas function as its media transport, the carbon media continuously moves downward over the perforated trays and eventually collected in the bottom of the adsorber tank. The spent carbon is then delivered to the desorber tank. The desorber tank is filled with an inert gas produced by an inert gas generator which causes the carbon media to be regenerated. The inert gas strips the carbon media of contaminates and is then delivered to a ground flare. The carbon media is returned to the adsorber tank and re-used to treat bio-gas.

Abstract: A strategy dice game that incorporates a game platform that includes four color-coded pegs inserted into holes formed on the platform with an equal same number of twenty matching color discs placed thereon. The game also includes at least one numbered die and three colored die. Each numbered die includes twelve sides with two sides assigned to dots one thru four. Each colored disc also includes twelve sides. The first colored die has six faces with one dot that matches the color of one stack of disc and six faces with one dot that matches the color of another stack of discs. A second colored die has twelve faces divided so that four faces have three different colored dots. The third colored die has twelve faces divided so that three faces have four different colored dots. During play, each player takes turns simultaneously tossing the numbered die and one colored die. The player having the option of removing discs for from their assigned stack of discs or blocking other players from removing discs.

Abstract: A small, portable electric shoe dryer that includes an elongated, narrow outer housing with three longitudinally aligned heating elements and a fan and motor assembly mounted on one end. Formed on the outer housing and around the fan and motor assembly is a fan vent opening. Formed on the opposite, distal end of the outer housing is a plurality of front and side body vent openings. In one embodiment, a three pole manual switch is mounted inside the outer housing that connects to the fan and motor assembly which draws dry air into the shoe from the top opening or forces moist air out of the shoe. In another embodiment, a pair of longitudinally aligned, upward extending wing elements are formed on the top surface which maintains air space when the inside of the shoe is adjacent to the top surface.

Abstract: An audio control device for use by one or two individuals lying in bed. The device includes a flat outer housing with two display surfaces aligned in opposite directions to face the two individuals when placed between them. Located inside the outer housing are two audio control units. Each audio control unit is connected to at least one input port, and an audio output port. An earphone, pillow speaker or a speaker wing component may be attached to each output port. An external audio source may be connected to each input port. Each control unit may include an illuminated display is mounted on each display surface. A volume switch is provided that enables the user to adjust the volume of sound heard. Mounted inside the outer housing is an optional internal audio source and an optional recording/playback unit and one or more mute buttons.

Abstract: An electrical management control and monitoring device that easily interfaces with an existing motor vehicle electrical system that includes both “dumb” and “smart” circuits to protect the electrical system during events in which the voltage, current or temperature may change and potentially cause damage or render the vehicle electrically “dead”. The device, which is coupled to the motor vehicle's ignition switch, power source and multiplex bus, includes a motherboard, a microcontroller and software program that monitors the vehicle's capacitor, battery or combination voltage, current and temperature and automatically disconnects non-critical circuits when their values become extreme or reach a preprogrammed threshold. The motherboard includes output connectors that are coupled to solid-state relays that act as a supplemental power source to provide electrical power to components that require electrical power after the ignition has been turned off.

Abstract: An edge dressing grinder tool used for making a continuous straight, vertical edge on a concrete, natural stone or artificial stone slab used for a countertop or table. The tool includes a manually operated hand grinder with a perpendicularly aligned grinding disc or pad mounted on a drive shaft. Attached to the head of the grinder is a forward extending, longitudinally aligned bracket. Extending laterally from the bracket are two slide arms and an adjustment rod. Mounted on the distal ends of the slide arms is a guide plate with a low friction, sliding plate. Mounted along the rear edge of the guide plate are two, transversely aligned wheels that press against a raised edge formed on a rigid fence that is fixed in position on the top surface of the work piece and parallel to the edge. The end of the adjacent rod engages a nut assembly mounted on the slide plate that allows the distance between the grinder's head and the guide plate to be selectively adjusted.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting and signaling the activation of a spring-loaded rat trap located at a remote location. The system includes a wireless transmitter mounted inside a transmitter unit upon which a spring loaded rat trap is placed. When a rat is caught by the trap, the rat drags the trap over the top surface of the transmitter unit causing activation of one or more switches located on the top surface. The switch is coupled to the wireless transmitter that sends a signal to a wireless receiving unit located in the vicinity. Coupled to the receiving unit is a light or sound alarm that is activated when a signal is received from the transmitter unit indicating that the trap has been moved over the transmitter unit. The system may be used with one or more transmitter units so that system may be used to monitor rat infestation one or multiple locations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating sleep apnea comprising an external, low voltage electrical stimulator that provides between 5 to 25 milliamps connected to electrodes imbedded located over the first and third intercostals or the third and fifth intercostals. The stimulator is designed to provide a current to the electrodes that stimulated one of the two pairs of intercostals for 59 seconds, rest for 4 seconds and then repeats the cycle throughout the night after the user has fallen asleep. The stimulator includes a main power switch and two amplitude control switches (also called amplitude control switches), a main control switch, an adustable delay activation timer switch, a power timer switch, an amplitude lock switch, two channel electrode wire plugs, an LCD display, and a battery pack. Prior to use, the amplitude control switches adjusted and lock at an amplitude needed to cause contraction. of the intercostals assigned to the channel.

Abstract: A maternity body support worn for correcting a woman's posture that includes an expandable body shell with a lower torso section, an upper torso section, a back section, and an abdominal opening. Mounted on the body shell is a pair of lower anchors located on opposite sides of the body, a pair of upper anchors located near the upper lateral region of the chest, a pair of elastic first support straps, and a pair of elastic second support straps. The first support straps attach to the lower anchors and then extend upward and around the back and coupled to the opposite shoulder complexes. The second support straps extend between the lower and upper anchors on each side of the body. The body shell, the two pairs of anchors and the two pairs of straps support the body and simultaneously rotate the opposite pelvis backwards and move the opposite shoulder complexes towards the mid-line.

Abstract: A process to purify biogases (i.e., landfill gas and municipal digester gas), to 5 enable such biogases to be utilized to generate electricity and heat. Biogases from these sources generally include small amounts of organosilicons (which are particularly harmful to power generation equipment, and especially harmful to micro-turbines, reciprocating internal combustion engines, and large turbines), and halogenated chemical species (which can foul expensive emission catalysts). A fluidized media bed reactor is configured to concentrate offending organics, and is coupled with another reactor vessel configured to strip the offending organics off saturated media with a hot inert gas. The removed organics are further concentrated into an inert gas stream that is conveyed to a small flare for greater than 99% destruction. The energy required to strip the organics from the spent media, and to energize the flare, is generated by the combustion of a small quantity of the purified biogas.

Abstract: A portable traffic control sign that includes a lightweight sign head selectively attachable to a lightweight pole. The sign head includes a thin interior frame sandwiched between two opposite facing, traffic sign panels. The interior frame includes an octagonal outer support structure and an inner support structure. Attached to the opposite surfaces of the outer and inner support structures are two arrays of LED bulbs. The two sign panels each include a thin transparent window. When placed on opposite sides of the interior sign frame, light from the first and second array of LED bulbs is able to be transmitted through the two windows exteriorly. In the preferred embodiment, each panel is made of DOT approved retro-reflective material. The two arrays are connected to a main control unit mounted inside the lightweight pole which also contains the battery pack and optional flasher switches.