Abstract: A housing has a bud portion abutting an elongated stem portion. The bud portion is to fit within an ear. The bud portion has a primary sound outlet at its far end that is to be inserted into an outer ear canal, and abuts the stem portion at its near end. A speaker driver is inside the bud portion. Electronic circuitry inside the housing includes a wireless communications interface to receive audio content over-the-air and in response provides an audio signal to the speaker driver. A rechargeable battery as a power source for the electronic circuitry is located inside a cavity of the stem portion. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The present invention is a pickup system including a transducer, a mount, and a cartridge for modifying perceived sound from a musical instrument. The transducer includes a housing, a magnet and an electric signal carrier. The mount attaches the transducer to the instrument. The cartridge includes a container and attachment device, which positions the container in proximity to the transducer. The attachment device engages the container with the transducer so as to affect the electric signal created by the instrument. The cartridges and container can be either integral or interchangeable to vary resonance materials to the transducer. The container may be filled with another material, including ferromagnetic fluid for an induced magnet effect upon the perceived sound from the transducer.

Abstract: The present invention is a pickup system including a transducer, a mount, and a cartridge for modifying perceived sound from a musical instrument. The transducer includes a housing, a magnet and an electric signal carrier. The mount attaches the transducer to the instrument. The cartridge includes a container and attachment device, which positions the container in proximity to the transducer. The attachment device engages the container with the transducer so as to affect the electric signal created by the instrument. The cartridges and container can be either integral or interchangeable to vary resonance materials to the transducer. The container may be filled with another material, including ferromagnetic fluid for an induced magnet effect upon the perceived sound from the transducer.

Abstract: The aquatic ladder was designed for ease of use, rather than ease of storage. It has wide, deep treads, arranged like a staircase, with side and upper railings which make it easy to enter or exit the water, even by elderly people, tired individuals, those carrying aquatic equipment, such as SCUBA gear or water skis, and, even, by pets. In the preferred embodiment, the aquatic ladder includes upper railings which each have an inverted “U” shape, and the distal end of those railings have hinged brackets for mounting the aquatic ladder to an object to be boarded. In an alternative embodiment, the aquatic ladder is mounted on a sliding rail, such that it can be raised, vertically, from the water, when it is not being used. The vertical portions of the ladder are short, relative to the overall height of the ladder whereby less material is used to manufacture the ladder, while making its shipment and storage easier.

Abstract: The aquatic ladder was designed for ease of use, rather than ease of storage. It has wide, deep treads, arranged like a staircase, with side and upper railings which make it easy to enter or exit the water, even by elderly people, tired individuals, those carrying aquatic equipment, such as SCUBA gear or water skis, and, even, by pets. In the preferred embodiment, the aquatic ladder includes upper railings which each have an inverted “U” shape, and the distal end of those railings have hinged brackets for mounting the aquatic ladder to an object to be boarded. In an alternative embodiment, the aquatic ladder is mounted on a sliding rail, such that it can be raised, vertically, from the water, when it is not being used. The ladder is preferably made from aluminum, although it can be made of other materials, such as steel (e.g., stainless or galvanized), fiberglass, plastic, or other composites.

Abstract: An aseptic method of preparing meals using automated means to place food portions of different types such as meat, lamb, chicken, vegetables, starches, rice, and potatoes within individual food type moulds (21) and into an in-line oven (1); each type of the food portions is then cooked as the moulds (21) are conveyed (19) through the oven; and automated means such as a spatula (22) and mould holder and lifting apparatus (24) are used to remove the food from the oven and moulds; and assembling the individual food portions to form a meal within a package (23). Also disclosed is a monitoring means for sue in a multiple stage sequential automatic food processing system that includes a means (15) for assigning a unique identification code or barcode to each individual food portion and sensors for measuring values of predetermined parameters (e.g. temperature, duration) of the process for said identified portions.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning the inside surfaces of HVAC ducts or the like is provided by the present invention. The apparatus broadly includes a rotatable cleaning head, a fluid driven drive means, and a variable length lightweight handle. The cleaning head carries a plurality of brush members, each including a tubular stiffener and a group of bristles received in said stiffener. The drive means is a pneumatic motor adapted to rotate the cleaning head which is mounted on the output head of the motor. The input end of the motor is connected to the handle, and the end of the handle is connected to a source of pressurized fluid.