Abstract: Exemplary embodiments may include a sanitizing system and method including a chamber, a wet and dry heating system adjacent to the chamber, and a filtered air system to reduce the contaminants entering the system and to provide positive pressure to the chamber to reduce the likelihood of contaminants entering the system.

Abstract: An anti-jackknifing device adapted for engagement between a tractor having a fifth wheel engaged with a trailer. The device features a pair of catch arms rotationally engaged to a mount with the tractor. The distal ends of the catch arms move between an engaged position in a horizontal path between two trailer mounted engaging components adapted to engage the distal end and a disengaged position out of the path. The distal ends of the catch arms may be pivotally mounted. The distal ends of the catch arms and the engaging components may also be shaped to cooperatively engage on contact. A control causes the catch arms to rotate thereby engaging the distal ends of the arms between the engaging components either automatically above a threshold speed or manually. This engagement limits the angle of the trailer to the tractor to a predetermined angle when trailer rotates on the fifth wheel causing the engaging components to contact the distal ends of the catch arms.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling user access to electrical receptacles and telephone and network communications receptacles. The device features a short range radio receiver and one or a plurality of RF energized radio identification tags with transmittable identification transponder codes. The receptacle contains circuitry that detects the immediate presence of energized transponders with proper identification codes and only enables the electric, telephone or network access from the receptacle to become active if the correct matching transponder identification code is present. The tag is a small flexible device having one side that may be attached to the plug or the receptacle or interfaced therebetween. Access to the power or network is allowed for a defined duration of time or only so long as the transponder remains energized and transmits the identification code.

Abstract: A device for heating and warming food featuring a base with a central member axially projecting it surface which provides heat from its exterior surface. The base is cooperatively engageable with one or a plurality of cooking containers having central cavities adapted to frictionally engage the central member thereby heating food in the containers from a central axis. Secondary cooking containers are engageable to axial projections in the primary cooking contains to allow two foods to be heated at the same time from a central area.

Abstract: The invention relates to an asbestos-free binding yarn for fastening incandescent bodies to burners of incandescent lamps whose incandescent bodies after the fastening are exposed to a flame, wherein the binding yarn consists of a fireproof material, preferably silica yarn. For improving the knotting ability of the yarn it is envisaged that the binding yarn after exposure in the flame has a diameter changed of less that 50% of its original diameter. The subject-matter of the invention is also the use of the binding yarn on an incandescent body for increasing its retention and durability.

Abstract: A furniture article having an integral torso support system includes a chair having a seat portion and a backrest portion. Two belt members are permanently attached to the chair's backrest portion and extend therefrom to free ends. Coupling elements are attached to the free ends to provide for connection between the belt members. With this cooperation of structure, the coupling elements can be engaged to configure the belt segment and the belt portion as the support system for restraining the torso of a person sitting on the seat portion of the chair as the person leans forward in a direction away from the backrest portion of the chair.

Abstract: A grinding method is provided which can grind a processing surface of a workpiece by a blast processing without use of specific abrasives to obtain a glossy surface such as a mirror surface. Abrasives together with compresses fluid are injected to the processing surface of the workpiece with an incident angle ? to meet the condition shown in the following equation: 0<V·sin ??½·VEquation 1; V=speed of the abrasive in an injection direction ?=incident angle of the abrasive to the processing surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dissuading predatory animals from attacking. The device and method employ depictions of an eye, especially the eye of a predator of the predatory animals, to initiate a startle response in the predatory animal thereby dissuading an attack. The depiction of one or more eyes may be placed on clothing or equipment carried into the aquatic or land based environment of the predator being dissuaded.

Abstract: An improved card scanner for imaging and decoding data contained in indicia such as bar codes on a side surface of an inserted card. The device features a double scanning method using an electronic imaging element and processor which turns off unnecessary power when not required and begins processing data as soon as one captured image is determined complete. This is accomplished through the use of a processor and software to determine if a complete image of the bar code on the inserted card has been captured and allowing immediate processing for data and removal of the card. Should the image of the bar code be incomplete, a second scan is conducted of the bar code as it is removed and a complete image formed from the second or combination of the two individual scans. The device can also be used to compare photographs scanned from a card with the digital photograph encoded in a two dimensional bar code and to display both photos for comparison.

Abstract: A drip irrigation tube having a plurality of sequentially placed emitters formed on an interior wall of the tube. Each emitter employs a series of parallel flowpaths axially positioned along the tube to provide for closer proximity of inlet ports to discharge chambers thereby providing for closer spacing of the emitters. Overlapping of the inlet portion of the sequentially positioned emitters with the outlet portion of any preceding emitter provides for even more compact positioning of the emitters along the tube.

Abstract: This invention consists of a unique entertaining board game where the total value of two dice of different colors or with a recognizable difference, one designating possible single value numerals, (1 through 6), and the other values of possible numerals, times ten, (10 through 60), are added together, creating a strictly unique sequence of thirty-six numerals. The object of the game is to have a fixed or moveable designated numeral to determine the beating of the ladder by the player rolling the dice with a score of the designated numeral or greater, while the other players bet that the score will be either higher or lower than the designated number. A bank pays the winnings and takes in the losses.

Abstract: An improved battery cell current collectors which are formed as a unitary structure with mating electrodes attached on one surface. The current collectors are formed of non-metallic material including particle-dispersed plastic tape, plastic dispersed carbon tape, fiber dispersed conductive plastic and carbon tape, or particle and metallic powder dispersed conductive tape to resist corrosion. The need to charge the battery immediately after manufacture is eliminated by the improved battery cell design. Additional utility is provided by fire retardant being mixed with one or both of the electrode composite forming the current collectors and the layer forming the current collectors and by the biasing of the current collectors against their terminating contacts by the compressed current collector material communicating a bias of the current collectors against the internal surface of the battery container thereby increasing current flow and decreasing corrosion.

Abstract: A method for the easy input and operation of miniature computing devices which allows for a plurality of input functions using only two buttons in a method of contextual navigation. The two buttons provide four different input functions which are continually graphically displayed upon the computing device display such that the user can always discern the action that will occur when one or both buttons are depressed. Different functions occur with the pressing of each one of the buttons yielding two functions whereas pressing both buttons for a short period yields a third function and both buttons for a longer period a fourth function. Additional utility is provided through the use of voice commands that may be communicated and stored in the computing device with associated data which will be displayed upon subsequent communication of the same voice command. A third button facilitates the entering and retrieval of voice command related data.