Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to unitized reagent strips for holding and transporting reagents and materials used in automated sample preparation and/or processing for biological and or chemical assays.

Abstract: A transitioning device incorporating a rotatable platform supported on a base and having an elongated straddleable seat supported above the rotatable platform. A mechanism, either manual or powered, is provided to selectively rotate the rotatable base to facilitate moving a user to allow the user to transition from a first location to a second location angularly displaced from the first location. A user may desirably mount the seat when moving in a forward direction. Suitable hand rails and other support structures are provided to assist a user in mount and dismounting the seat. The seat may optionally be removable. Wheels or casters may be provided to facilitate moving the transitioning device. In one embodiment, a propulsion system may be included in the device. The fundamental functional concepts of the transitioning device may be combined with other devices to impart similar mobility benefits thereto.

Abstract: The present invention provides a family of devices to slice or cut items such as produce and more particularly, even large items such as watermelons safely, cleanly, and efficiently. The invention is scalable and can also be applied to the slicing or cutting of other items including logs. Other embodiments showing extensions to the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a family of devices insertable into a pipe or pipeline for counteracting the force and controlling the rate of flow of a fluid flowing in the pipe or pipeline. The disclosed devices have an overall shape resembling a spear to improve the fluid dynamic performance and are designed to be self-centering in a pipe. The devices can be made from readily available materials using well known manufacturing techniques. Other embodiments showing extensions to the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: An interlocking system for preventing simultaneous opening of drawers of a cabinet, including activation members affixable to back sides of the drawers and coupled to carriage members slideably mounted in guide supports affixable in the cabinet behind the drawers in respective registration with the activation members. An elongated track member affixable in the cabinet on a side of the guide supports slideably guides a stack of mobile blocks between which bolt elements projecting from the carriage members are driveable only one at a time due to a limited space provided for displacement of the blocks and for insertion of one of the bolt elements. The carriage members slide using the pulling and pushing motions of the activation members when the drawers are opened and closed. Due to the limited space, only one bolt element is insertable between the mobile blocks and only one drawer is openable at a same time.

Abstract: An interlocking system for preventing simultaneous opening of drawers of a cabinet, comprising activation members affixable to back sides of the drawers and coupled to carriage members slideably mounted in guide supports affixable in the cabinet behind the drawers in respective registration with the activation members. An elongated track member affixable in the cabinet on a side of the guide supports slideably guides a stack of mobile blocks between which bolt elements projecting from the carriage members are driveable only one at a time due to a limited space provided for displacement of the blocks and for insertion of one of the bolt elements. The carriage members slide using the pulling and pushing motions of the activation members when the drawers are opened and closed. Due to the limited space, only one bolt element is insertable between the mobile blocks and only one drawer is openable at a same time.

Abstract: A method and computerized system for directing voice data transmissions by a gateway server of an Internet telephony service provider between an internal computer system of a registered user and an external device connected to the external network, such as Internet, where the internal computer system is protected by a firewall security system that does not allow transmissions of voice data packets to the internal computer system. The gateway server accepts a request from the internal computer system to initiate exchange of voice data with at least one external device, identifies the user and verifies that sender and recipient are registered with the provider and are currently active and able to exchange voice data.