Abstract: A pet restraint harness that includes a modified animal harness having quick release connectors and a lanyard attached to the rear portion of the harness and having a pre-determined length, the distal end of which is adapted to be secured to a fixed anchor in the floor or bed of a vehicle or other animal supporting surface. The length of the lanyard is selected so as to be as short as possible while still allowing the animal to stand comfortably.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical shaped tool handle holds multiple sizes of tools. The handle includes one or more holding slots each positioned on one of multiple surface faces into which hexagonal tools are inserted and held. Each holding slot is of a size and dimension which corresponds to a hexagonal tool size. In the preferred embodiment of the handle three of the faces have a single holding slot with multiple receiving holes for holding hexagonal wrenches of multiple sizes. A lock is positioned over the short leg of the hexagonal wrench and the holding slot to hold the wrench in position during use. The width of the bottom of the lock is smaller than the width of the top of the lock in order to give the lock a natural spring-like property, thereby allowing it to clamp onto the handle and remain in its locked position. The lock may be positioned to hold a tool in any one of the holding slots.

Abstract: A system for guiding the flight of a projectile to a target. The system comprises a tracking and guidance system, the projectile, and a projectile reference and control system that is part of the projectile. The tracking and guidance system includes a target tracker, a projectile tracker for providing a projectile-tracking laser beam, and a target designator for designating the target using a target-tracking laser beam, and for providing range data indicative of the range to the target. A processor is coupled to the target designator, the target tracker, and the projectile tracker for processing target and projectile return signals and target range signals to generate an actuator command signal that is transmitted by the projectile tracker using the projectile-tracking laser beam and that is used to alter the flight of the projectile.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical shaped tool handle holds multiple sizes of tools. The preferred embodiment of the handle is hexagonal shaped and holds multiple sizes of hexagonal tools. The handle includes one or more holding slots each positioned on one of multiple surface faces into which hexagonal tools are inserted and held. Each holding slot is of a size and dimension which corresponds to a hexagonal tool size. In use, a hexagonal wrench is positioned in the appropriate holding slot with the short leg or mounting end of the hexagonal wrench resting in the holding slot and the long leg of the hexagonal wrench extending through a receiving hole formed through the bottom of the slot and the tool handle. The long leg having a proximal end for driving the screw or tool. A lock is then positioned over the short leg of the hexagonal wrench and the holding slot.

Abstract: In a Geographic Information System, a computer retrieves records from a data base for each map feature that lies within the extent of the displayed portion of the map. The records for point features are organized in "flat" structures where each map feature is represented by a single symbol, and in multi-level "hierarchial" structures where each feature is represented by a hierarchy of symbols representing different resolutions of the map features. For a hierarchial symbol structure, the level of records retrieved by the computer is determined by the scale of the map displayed to the screen. The computer determines, for each symbol at the particular map scale, whether the symbol extensively overlaps any other symbol The symbols that overlap significantly are modified to reduce the clutter by either merging the overlapping symbols into a single symbol including a numeric identifier or replacing the symbol and its siblings by the single parent symbol in the hierarchy.

Abstract: A single-pass method for accurate and precise temperature control in the -160.degree. to +90.degree. C. range, and which exhibited minimal set-point overshoot during temperature transitions. Control to .+-.2.degree. C. with transitions between set-points of 7.degree. C. per minute were achieved. The method uses commercially available temperature controllers and a gaseous nitrogen/liquid nitrogen mixer to dampen the amplitude of cold temperature spikes caused by liquid nitrogen pulsing.

Abstract: Flexible pouches filled with product are advanced to a steaming station where steam from a steam nozzle is directed downwardly toward the pouches to drive air therefrom. A vacuum nozzle is inserted downwardly within the steam nozzle and into each pouch at the steaming station, the upper end portion of the pouch is closed around the nozzle and then a vacuum is drawn through the nozzle to evacuate the air in the pouch. The top of the pouch is sealed immediately after the vacuum nozzle is retracted out of the pouch and while steam is still being directed downwardly toward the pouch to prevent air from re-entering the pouch.

Abstract: Flexible pouches filled with product are advanced to a steaming station where steam is introduced into the pouches to remove the air therefrom. The pouches are closed and sealed while in the presence of steam and before being advanced out of the steaming station so as to prevent air from re-entering the pouches.