Abstract: A shoe (and fabrication techniques therefor) on which is provided a bottom portion that includes a sole portion and a heel portion and that has a bottom surface and an upper portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion. The bottom surface of the bottom portion of the shoe has areas of a fabric material (such as cotton, nylon, polyester, any other cloth or fabric), or any of a variety of other first materials, interspersed with areas of a durable material (such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic rubber, any other plastic, and/or any other natural or synthetic leather or rubber), or any of a variety of other second materials.

Abstract: Provided is a shoe that includes: a bottom surface that is adjacent to the ground in normal use; a sole that forms at least a portion of the bottom surface; an upper portion extending above the sole; and individual particles bonded to the bottom surface of the shoe. The individual particles include at least one of corn husk, hemp or a natural plant material that has been ground into the individual particles.

Abstract: A level indicator for a container that is lined with a membrane for holding fluid, and which has a wall with an aperture formed through it. A frame is attached to the container wall adjacent to the aperture. A plunger is engaged with the frame, and moves between an extended position, where the plunger extends through the aperture and into the interior of the container, and a retracted position, where the plunger does not substantially extend into the interior of the container. An elastic member between the frame and the plunger urges the plunger to the extended position. A visual indicator is driven by the plunger between an indicating position and a non-indicating position. The force of the elastic member is selected to enable the membrane, under static pressure of fluid within the container, to urge the plunger to the retracted position.

Abstract: Provided are, among other things, shoes and techniques for making them. One such shoe has: (a) a bottom portion that includes a sole and a bottom surface; and (b) an upper portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion. The bottom portion of the shoe is made of (i) an insert piece having a number of openings and (ii) a piece of fabric material that is partially on top of the insert piece and that partially extends into the openings, such that the bottom surface has alternating areas of the fabric material and the insert piece. The bottom surface has a portion that contacts the ground in normal use, and the fabric material covers at least 50% of such portion that contacts the ground in normal use.

Abstract: A lifting assembly for a polymeric liner disposed within a fluid material container. The assembly includes a pneumatic linear drive, and, an interface member that is supportively connecting to the polymeric liner. A tension line is coupled between the pneumatic linear drive and the interface member, and a line guide is positioned to route the tension line to a central location above the polymeric liner, and thereby correspondingly locates the interface member. A pneumatic controller actuates the pneumatic linear drive to move in a first direction, to move in a second direction, or to remain in a fixed position. Movement of the pneumatic linear drive in the first direction causes the tension line to lift the interface member in an upward direction, and, movement of the pneumatic linear drive in the second direction causes the tension line to lower the interface member in a downward direction.

Abstract: An interlock assembly for a door latch mechanism of a door in a container for bulk material that has an interior lined with a membrane for holding fluid. The interlock assembly includes a plunger in an aperture formed through the door, which moves between an extended position, where the plunger extends into the interior of the container, and a locked position, where the plunger is urged outwardly from of the interior of the container. A spring is positioned to apply a force to urge the plunger to the extended position. A lock member is connected to move with the plunger between the extended position and the locked position. The spring force is selected to enable the membrane, under static pressure of fluid within the container, to urge the plunger to the locked position, thereby engaging the lock member to interlock against operation of the door latch.

Abstract: A shoe (and fabrication techniques therefor) on which is provided a bottom portion that includes a sole portion and a heel portion and that has a bottom surface and an upper portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion. The bottom surface of the bottom portion of the shoe has areas of a fabric material (such as cotton, nylon, polyester, any other cloth or fabric), or any of a variety of other first materials, interspersed with areas of a durable material (such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic rubber, any other plastic, and/or any other natural or synthetic leather or rubber), or any of a variety of other second materials.

Abstract: A level indicator for a container that is lined with a membrane for holding fluid, and which has a wall with an aperture formed through it. A frame is attached to the container wall adjacent to the aperture. A plunger is engaged with the frame, and moves between an extended position, where the plunger extends through the aperture and into the interior of the container, and a retracted position, where the plunger does not substantially extend into the interior of the container. An elastic member between the frame and the plunger urges the plunger to the extended position. A visual indicator is driven by the plunger between an indicating position and a non-indicating position. The force of the elastic member is selected to enable the membrane, under static pressure of fluid within the container, to urge the plunger to the retracted position.

Abstract: Provided is a shoe that includes: a bottom surface that is adjacent to the ground in normal use; a sole that forms at least a portion of the bottom surface; an upper portion extending above the sole; and individual particles bonded to the bottom surface of the shoe. The individual particles include at least one of corn husk, hemp or a natural plant material that has been ground into the individual particles.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for setting interactions between paired computing devices. Paired devices may interact in a master-slave relationship, where the slave device is an intelligent computing device capable of performing a wide variety of functions for the master computing device. When initiating a paired relationship, various characteristics relating to the initiating device are recorded, and the used in defining the relationship between the initiating device and the target device with which the initiating device paired. In a further example of interactions between paired computing devices, user-defined policies may be recorded, stored and implemented which affect the behavior of one or both computing devices when the two devices are paired.

Abstract: Provided is a shoe that includes: a bottom surface that is adjacent to the ground in normal use; a sole that forms at least a portion of the bottom surface; an upper portion extending above the sole; and individual particles bonded to the bottom surface of the shoe. The individual particles include at least one of corn husk, hemp or a natural plant material that has been ground into the individual particles.

Abstract: A shoe (and fabrication techniques therefor) on which is provided a bottom portion that includes a sole portion and a heel portion and that has a bottom surface and an upper portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion. The bottom surface of the bottom portion of the shoe has areas of a fabric material (such as cotton, nylon, polyester, any other cloth or fabric), or any of a variety of other first materials, interspersed with areas of a durable material (such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic rubber, any other plastic, and/or any other natural or synthetic leather or rubber), or any of a variety of other second materials.

Abstract: A shoe (and fabrication techniques therefor) on which is provided a bottom portion that includes a sole portion and a heel portion and that has a bottom surface and an upper portion extending upwardly from the bottom portion. The bottom surface of the bottom portion of the shoe has areas of a fabric material (such as cotton, nylon, polyester, any other cloth or fabric), or any of a variety of other first materials, interspersed with areas of a durable material (such as ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic rubber, any other plastic, and/or any other natural or synthetic leather or rubber), or any of a variety of other second materials.

Abstract: A dust cap for a pMDI having a cap part adapted for a push-fit on the dispensing nozzle of the pMDI and a strap part for connecting the dust cap to the pMDI, wherein the cap part is slidably mounted on the strap part for sliding movement between an extended position and a contracted position.

Abstract: An inhaler is provided with a restricting member to prevent unintentional actuation of the inhaler. Also provided is an inhaler with an extensible strap joining a dust cap to the housing of an inhaler, the strap being particularly suited for use with inhalers that comprise a restricting member. The inhaler is useful, for example, in the treatment of asthma.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for setting interactions between paired computing devices. Paired devices may interact in a master-slave relationship, where the slave device is an intelligent computing device capable of performing a wide variety of functions for the master computing device. When initiating a paired relationship, various characteristics relating to the initiating device are recorded, and the used in defining the relationship between the initiating device and the target device with which the initiating device paired. In a further example of interactions between paired computing devices, user-defined policies may be recorded, stored and implemented which affect the behavior of one or both computing devices when the two devices are paired.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for pairing computing devices using an authentication protocol that allows an initiating computing device to gain access to a secure, encrypted network of a target computing device.

Abstract: Provided are methods and techniques for a spraying fibers. A container having an agitator or a blade assembly in its bottom section is obtained and then partially filled with fibers, so as to at least partially cover the agitator or blade assembly. The agitator or blade assembly is operated with the container substantially closed, thereby causing a plurality of the fibers to become airborne within the container, and then an airflow is created to draw the airborne fibers out of the container. Finally, the airborne fibers that have been drawn out of the container are directed into a desired spray, using a sprayer.

Abstract: An apparatus to retain and position tubing of media bags with a bottom gate made of a single piece, with features to hold and retain media bag tubing, a recessed structure where the bottom gate is positioned when installed that places the top of the gate flush with the inside surface of the media bag holder, and locking tabs on the inside surface of the media bag holder that prevent the bottom gate from lifting and allow it to be installed in only the correct orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for the cleaning and washing of objects includes a flexible inner lining that extends over a hand and wrist or arm of a user so as to provide a gap intermediate the exterior of at least a portion of the hand and the interior of the inner lining. A preferred material for the inner lining is fabricated neoprene, rubber, or latex. An outer lining extends over at least a portion of the inner lining and is adapted for a cleaning, polishing, or dusting operation. A preferred material for the outer lining includes cotton fibers. The apparatus is available in either a “gloved” version with fingers or in a “mitt” version that accommodates a plurality of fingers. Both versions, preferably, include a thumb area as well. A first seal surrounds the apparatus around the wrist or arm of the user and is tightened to restrict the inflow of a fluid into the apparatus.