Abstract: A hair styling tool includes a body, a cylinder extending from the body, the cylinder rotatable relative to the body, a motor for rotating the cylinder, a heater to heat the cylinder, and a styling arm pivotally attached to the body. The hair styling tool may have a generally clam shell configuration, wherein the styling arm is movable between an open position in which the styling arm is distant the cylinder and a closed position in which the styling arm is proximate to the cylinder, such as contacting the cylinder. The styling arm may also include a brush head with fixed or retractable bristles and/or a smoothing plate.

Abstract: A securable storage container comprising: a hollow housing having a front wall, a back wall, side walls, a top and a bottom for defining a first compartment and a second compartment; a first door rotatably connected to the housing and providing access to the first compartment, the first door being reversibly movable between an open position and a closed position; a second door rotatably connected to the housing and providing access to the second compartment, the second door being lockable to the housing; two opposing trap doors, each trap door being rotatably coupled to one of the side walls of the housing for dividing the first compartment from the second compartment; and a deployment means for moving the trap doors between a closed position in which the first compartment is separated from the second compartment and an open position in which the first compartment is in communication with the second compartment; wherein opening the first door forces the deployment means to move the trap doors to the closed po

Abstract: A method for image processing of a digital image, in which a region of interest is defined in the digital image, one or more sets of pixel characteristics are determined for the region of interest, along with an image editing function, and the digital image is processed by applying a mixing function algorithm based on the one or more sets of pixel characteristics and the determined image editing function. When the digital image includes pixels that are outside of the region of interest, the processing the digital image includes using the mixing function to determine which pixels that are outside of the region of interest are affected by the image editing function.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for execution on a computer for image processing of a digital image, and method, in which an input interface is overlaid on the digital image and visually connected to the coordinates of one or more pixels to be processed. A graphical icon, such as a circle, may be overlaid on the neighborhood of the pixels to be processed. The input interface may comprise one or more sliders, to receive user input of values, such as weights, to be used for image processing of the one or more pixels.

Abstract: Packaging of respiring biological materials, particularly bananas and other fruits, in sealed containers. The containers preferably include a gas-permeable membrane comprising (1) a microporous film, and (2) a polymeric coating on the microporous film. Using appropriate containers and appropriate controlled atmospheres around the container, the respiring materials can be stored and/or ripened under controlled conditions. Bananas can be ripened while they are being transported, or in conventional ripening rooms without opening the containers in which they have been transported. The ripe bananas are less dehydrated and remain in a satisfactory ripened state for longer periods of time.

Abstract: A drain filtration apparatus including a catch basin and a filter housing. The catch basin includes a conduit extending upward from a drain opening in the catch basin, the upper vertical edge of the conduit being lower than the opening of the catch basin. The filter housing is removably securable to the upper portion of the conduit and includes a cover having an upper surface sufficient to cover the upper opening of the conduit as well as an elongated circumferential portion having openings which extend downwardly from the cover.

Abstract: A method for determining a market clearing price (“MCP”) in an electricity market, in which an objective function relates the MCP and constraints in terms of a nonlinear programming expression, and the MCP is found by resolving an augmented Lagrangian dual function using a surrogate optimization framework. A system is also provided.

Abstract: An anti-theft and safety mechanism (1) for bottles is disclosed, comprising an external support body (2), locking and unlocking means of this mechanism (1) and means for securing this mechanism (1) onto a neck of a bottle.

Abstract: A system for building interactive calculations on web pages, comprising a central processor for executing program instructions stored on computer readable media, interfaces in communication with the central processor, one or more computer readable media in communication with the central processor containing program instructions for executing a manager object for controlling the interaction of objects, one or more than one calculation objects (26, 28) in communication with the manager object, one or more than one input objects (14, 16, 18) controlling the model parameters, one or more than one output objects (20, 22, 24) displaying values of calculated variables, wherein the manager object, each of the input objects, and each of the output objects are coded with no model specific information, and model specific information is communicated through the manager object by parameter or variable name.

Abstract: A portal barrier movement alarm includes an apparatus having (a) a first assembly adapted for attachment to the moveable portal barrier; (b) a second assembly adapted for attachment spaced apart from but proximate to the moveable portal barrier; (c) and a vibration inducing ridge and a vibratable prong, the vibratable prong having a vibratable free end, one of the vibration inducing ridge and the vibratable prong being attached to the first assembly and the other of the vibration inducing ridge and the vibratable prong being attached to the second assembly such that the movement of the first assembly with respect to the second assembly causes the vibratable prong to contact the vibration inducing ridge and to thereby cause the vibratable prong to vibrate.

Abstract: An anti-condensate resistance (1) with PTC thermistor 5 is disclosed, comprising a central heat sink element (3), such central heat sink element (3) being composed of two dissipating plates (3a, 3b) which are mutually facing and continuously joined in such a way as to form, in a space interposed between the plates, an inserting housing (15) of the PTC thermistor 5 together with a securing element (11), a first and a second closing plugs (7a, 7b) for closing openings of the inserting housing (15) and for hermetically sealing the PTC thermistor 5 inside the inserting housing (15); the dissipating plates (3a, 3b) being equipped with a convex curvature towards their center, each one of the dissipating plates (3a, 3b) being equipped at their ends with inserting tracks (4a, 4b) forming working portions (6a, 6b) on which forces (F) are exerted which are adapted to permanently set joining hourglasses (4c) of the dissipating plates (3a, 3b) for cancelling or reverting the curvature and blocking the PTC thermistor 5 in

Abstract: A global network of systems of personal and business information management comprises a plurality of servers, each server having at least a local database and a local search engine, and a plurality of users' equipment that are accessible to the Internet and thus connectable with at least one of the servers. Each of the databases contains at least some of personal data and information of individuals who are located within a particular geographic area or sign on with a particular server. The servers have at least one uniform search interface one of said servers functions as a master server, and the web card servers communicate with each other through predetermined protocols to connect with the other servers.

Abstract: A hair styling tool includes a body, a cylinder extending from the body, the cylinder rotatable relative to the body, a motor for rotating the cylinder, a heater to heat the cylinder, and a styling arm pivotally attached to the body. The hair styling tool may have a generally clam shell configuration, wherein the styling arm is movable between an open position in which the styling arm does not contact the cylinder and a closed position in which the styling arm contacts the cylinder. The styling arm may also include a brush head with fixed or retractable bristles and/or a smoothing plate.

Abstract: A hand-held instrument has a business end and a handle attached to the business end. The handle has a gripping portion and a longitudinal axis. A knob is provided on the gripping portion of the handle to facilitate the wielding of the hand-held instrument. The knob is disposed such that it projects away from the handle in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the handle. In a preferred, but not required embodiment, the knob is removably attached to the handle by a quick release attachment device. In a typical, but not required, such embodiment, the quick release attachment device includes a male connection pin disposed within the knob and a female receptor disposed within the hand tool.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, media and signals for facilitating secure communication between a first device and a second device are disclosed. One method includes automatically identifying a common key server potentially accessible by both the first and second devices, and obtaining a secure private key from the common key server, for use in encrypting communications between the first and second devices. Identifying may include identifying as the common key server, a key server at an intersection of a first communication path defined between a first key server having a previously established relationship with the first device and a master key server, and a second communication path defined between a second key server having a previously established relationship with the second device and the master key server. Obtaining may include obtaining a plurality of private keys and blending the keys to produce a final private session key.