Abstract: An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenser a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine. Food is dispensed from the automated dispensing device to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system.

Abstract: An end of arm tool that is capable of handling fragile items such as eggs that are packaged in containers (e.g., egg cartons) that require special handling is provided. The end of arm tool comprises vacuum cup assemblies to grip the top surfaces of the packages, clamp fingers to clamp the edges of the packages, and optionally a pusher assembly to release the packages from the clamp fingers. In addition, a method of loading packages into cases using the end of arm tool apparatus of the present invention is provided. A gripper may be provided to place divider sheets between packages in the cases.

Abstract: A selectively lockable orthotic joint is provided in which a pressure sensor having a thin layer of variably resistive material generates a control signal when an actuation force is applied to the sensor. An electronic circuit operatively connects the sensor to a mechanical orthotic joint that can be selectively locked and unlocked in response to the control signal. The control signal may be uniform in strength selectively locking and unlocking the joint. The control signal may also be variable in strength wherein the orthotic joint provides increasing or decreasing resistance to motion responsive to a corresponding increase or decrease in control signal strength. The device is suitable for use as a foot/ankle/leg orthotic having a foot sensor which selectively operates a mechanical knee joint.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenses a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine. Food is dispensed from the automated dispensing device to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenses a predetermined portion of food from a bulk storage container or food dispensing magazine. Food is dispensed from the automated dispensing device to an automated fry device that can include at least one circular fry wheel having a plurality of food containing compartments. After the food is fried it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and held into position for filling by an automated container handling system.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container. In one embodiment, the system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. In one embodiment, an automated dispensing device dispenses a predetermined portion of food from a food dispensing magazine located in a freezer. Food is dispensed from the magazine to a secondary container located within the freezer for containing a plurality of pieces dispensed from the food magazine. A device is provided for determining the number of food pieces in the container located in the secondary container and for dumping the secondary container so that food pieces contained in the secondary container are dumped to a location outside of the freezer.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for rescuing a person trapped in engulfing material at an engulfment site. A reduction tool is used to loosen the engulfing material in order to free or facilitate freeing a buried or partially buried victim. The loosened engulfing material is subsequently removed from the engulfment site by vacuum excavation. Shoring equipment may be used to stabilize the excavation site prior to commencement of soil reduction and soil removal procedures. The excavation site may include a sump area to receive loosened engulfing material discharged by the reduction tool from the excavation site. The loosened engulfing material in the sump area may also be removed with vacuum excavation techniques.

Abstract: A display module for an illuminated display device is provided having an at least substantially translucent panel and a plurality of retention members for removably retaining a plurality of spaced apart divider members and display members to the panel. The retention members are secured to the panel in fixed relation to the panel and are arrayed in first and second opposed vertically spaced apart columns. Preferably, each divider member includes retaining structures, and preferably longitudinally extending channels, for retaining portions of at least partially translucent display members bearing food, pricing, or other advertising information in a predetermined position between opposed sets of retaining structures. An illuminated display device is also provided which includes a housing having an opening, at least one lighting source inside the housing for projecting light through the opening, and a display module. A method of assembling a display module in accordance with the invention is further provided.

Abstract: An automated food processing system and method that allows food to be dispensed, fried and packaged in a suitable container, such as an individual portion-sized container. The system includes separate automated modules for dispensing, frying and packaging the food. The food is fried and thereafter it is dispensed from the fry device to an automated packaging device. The automated packaging device dispenses food to a container that may be an individual portion-sized container that is retrieved, erected and filled by an automated container handling and filling system. After a food container is filled, an automated device transports the filled container to a suitable pick-up location.

Abstract: A golf club having a metal wood club head including a toe, a heel, a club face, a sole, a rear profile, and a top profile shape. The club head is shaped to increase the moment of inertia of the club head. In one embodiment, a rear portion of the club head is truncated such that a top profile maximum width of the toe side and a top profile maximum width of the heel side are larger than a transverse top profile centerline width of the club head. The sole of the club head may have a sole recess which extends from the truncated region and through a portion of a center of the sole. In another embodiment, the wood club head approximates an elongated rectangular shape.

Abstract: A display module for an illuminated display device is provided having a flexible, non-self-supporting, at least substantially translucent sheet and a plurality of spaced apart, horizontally disposed divider members positioned on one side of the sheet. Each of the divider members may include a retaining structure for retaining portions of display members in a predetermined position. A plurality of display members having translucent portions are positioned between spaced apart sets of divider members. An illuminated display device is also provided which includes a housing having an opening, at least one lighting source inside the housing for projecting light through the opening, and a display module. A method of assembling a display module in accordance with the invention is further provided.

Abstract: A computer method, apparatus and storage medium is provided for creating quantitative aesthetic graphics from data. The invention utilizes a graph algebra to construct graphs and visually or otherwise represents the graphs as a quantitative aesthetic graphic representation. To create the quantitative aesthetic graphics from data, the data is indexed to form a data set. Thereafter, the data is converted into a variable data structure composed of an index set, a range and a function. The variable data structure is converted into a variable set by using at least one of a blend step, a cross step and a nest step. The variable set is mapped into a set of points and the set of points is mapped into an aesthetic representation.

Abstract: A device for catching insects is provided which includes an elongated member with first and second distal portions, an insect trapping head mounted on the first distal portion, and an actuating mechanism. The insect trapping head includes a first member and a second member pivotally mounted with respect to each other such that one of the members is moveable from about 0 to about 340 degrees relative to the other member, and preferably to about 270 degrees relative to the other member by activation of the actuating mechanism. When in the closed position, the first and second members define a rigid compartment such that the insect can be trapped between the first and second members. Preferably, a sticky surface on at least a portion of the interior of the compartment maintains the insects within the compartment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring emotional states of an individual by using a voice analysis of said individual. The apparatus comprises a voice analyzer operative to input speech specimens, comprising an analog to digital converter operative to perform a digitization process of analog audio vocal segments, and a general emotion reporter, operative to produce an indication of any kind for the monitored general emotions. According to preferred embodiment of the present invention, the speech specimens are provided over the telephone to the voice analyzer and the report of the subject's emotional state includes a “love detection” report based on the individual's sub-conscious emotional state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for the verification of the purchase of a retail item wherein an encoding device provides a machine-readable post-purchase indicia on the label for a retail item at the point of sale of the retail item. When a customer returns the retail item for a refund or exchange, a detecting device analyzes the label for the presence of the post-purchase indicia. Presence of the post-purchase indicia indicates a legitimate exchange whereas the absence of the post-purchase indicia signifies a fraudulent exchange.

Abstract: A locking coupler device for connecting a residual limb socket to a lower limb prosthesis is provided having a body with a top mounting surface, a bottom mounting surface, an anterior area and a posterior area. The top mounting surface is adapted to connect to the residual limb socket at a defined location on the top mounting surface. The bottom mounting surface is adapted to connect to the lower limb prosthesis at a defined location on the bottom mounting surface. The top and bottom mounting surfaces are horizontally offset such that a longitudinal centerline of the residuum limb socket is located from about 0.5 to about 4.0 inches anterior of a longitudinal centerline of the lower limb prosthesis when the residual limb socket and the lower limb prosthesis are attached to the top and bottom mounting surfaces, respectively, of the coupler device. In addition, the top mounting surface is inclined posterior to anterior at an angle from about 5° to about 20° relative to the bottom mounting surface.

Abstract: Encapsulated electrical component assemblies and methods of electrically connecting an electrical component having a plurality of component electrical terminations to a component carrying substrate having a plurality of substrate electrical terminations at surface mount reflow soldering conditions is described. The electrical and substrate components have an encapsulant-forming composition sandwiched therebetween and encasing said pluralities of component and substrate electrical connections. The described invention relates to using an encapsulant-forming composition comprising a thermosetting resin (preferably an epoxy resin) and a cross-linking agent (preferably an anhdride) for said resin that cross-links said resin and that also acts as a fluxing agent and optionally includes a catalyst for initiating cross-linking at required conditions. The gel point of the encapsulant-forming composition is reached after solder melt.