Abstract: A storage device for a fishing lure includes a spool having a longitudinal axis extending between first and second ends. A flange extends radially from the first end of the spool and includes a circumferential edge extending between first and second sides. A slot extends radially from the edge toward the longitudinal axis. A recess extends radially from the edge between the first and second sides. The slot receives a line of the lure so that a connecting element at a first end of the line is disposed at the first side of the flange. The spool receives a length of the line so that the line is wrapped about the spool. The recess receives a hook at a second end of the line to secure the second end relative to the spool when the connecting element is disposed at the flange and the line is wrapped about the spool.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining an electromagnetic (EM) characteristic of a material, including a chamber, an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver and a processor. The chamber includes a permanent boundary that encloses a volume; a removable panel along the boundary. The panel includes the material. The antenna is disposed in the chamber for transmitting source EM radiation and receiving reflected EM radiation. The transmitter injects the source EM radiation via the antenna into the chamber. The source EM radiation includes continuous wave (CW) and pulse signals. The receiver obtains reverberated EM radiation from the chamber via the antenna and produces an intermediate frequency signal. The processor controls the transmitter and the receiver. The processor determines a decay time of the EM radiation from the intermediate frequency signal.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining an electromagnetic (EM) characteristic of a material, including a chamber, an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver and a processor. The chamber includes a permanent boundary that encloses a volume; a removable panel along the boundary. The panel includes the material. The antenna is disposed in the chamber for transmitting source EM radiation and receiving reflected EM radiation. The transmitter injects the source EM radiation via the antenna into the chamber. The source EM radiation includes continuous wave (CW) and pulse signals. The receiver obtains reverberated EM radiation from the chamber via the antenna and produces an intermediate frequency signal. The processor controls the transmitter and the receiver. The processor determines a decay time of the EM radiation from the intermediate frequency signal.

Abstract: A back scrubber includes a substantially U-shaped bracket including an elongated vertical base plate with an upper arm and a lower arm perpendicularly extending therefrom. Removably positioned between the upper and lower arms is a tubular brush member that is automatically rotated with an internal electric motor. A bather can cleanse his her or back by activating the motor and placing the back against the brush member.

Abstract: A measuring system is disclosed which detects and measures the volume concentration and mass flow of the airborne conductive particles, such as carbon-absorptive chaff particles. The measuring system can be used to estimate the effective conductivity of the detected airborne conductive particles. Further, if particles are not airborne, but are lying on a surface they may be made to become airborne by the vacuum source of the present invention and then detected by the measuring system of the present invention.

Abstract: The scanning free space optical broadband access network uses LASERs to carry high-speed data streams between a central location and a number of subscribers served from that location. High-speed digital data modulates the LASERs in both directions, allowing a virtual MAN to be created. A few dozen subscribers share a single virtual pipe with several hundred Mbps band-width available. Beam scanning techniques at a central hub permit a single LASER and optical assembly to serve many customers.

Abstract: An apparatus for contactlessly measuring the electrical resistance per unit ength of a low-resistance test conductor (e.g., wire or cable) at a selected measurement frequency, which includes a coaxial cavity structure having a central cavity region defined by opposed first and second outer conductor sections, and a center conductor, wherein the test conductor comprises the center conductor. An input probe disposed adjacent to the first one of the outer conductor sections launches a standing wave on the center conductor, and an output probe disposed adjacent to the second one of the outer conductor sections senses the Q of the central cavity region. A detector coupled to the output probe measures the sensed Q of the central cavity region. The electrical resistance per unit length of the test conductor at the selected measurement frequency can be determined from the measured cavity Q.

Abstract: Ground beef at 28.degree.-31.degree. F. ground to pass through 3/32-1/8 inch grinder outlet openings is spread laterally and sheeted on a moving conveyor belt to a desired patty thickness with minimum pressure and working. The sheet passes under an endless track of transversally extending bars having a pattern of hexagonal cells cooperatively formed in their outer faces. The bars are mounted to chains which are entrained about sprockets that are driven to match the surface speed of the sheet conveyor. Intermediate the longitudinal extent of the lower run of the track of cutter bars, the cutters are gradually cammed down to abutment with the sheet conveyor, and gradually out of the sheet. At the downstream end, the hexagonal patties move over a fluidized bed-type transfer plate onto a take away conveyor, e.g. into a blast freezer, as a narrow selvage at both lateral margins drop away for recycling.

Abstract: An improved microwave pulsed and computer-operated resonance chamber system for obtaining various parameters for a multimode chamber with or without a specimen therein. The system is generally made up of a continuous microwave signal source arrangement for transmitting a series of pulses to the interior of the chamber at one point thereof. A detector for sensing a transient relaxation response curve after each pulse in the chamber where the sensing is effected at a second point in the chamber and where the curve is representative of the relative field strength in the chamber. In one embodiment of the system the carrier frequency of the series of pulses is selectively adjusted so as to alter the multimode characteristics of the chamber in order to provide different transient relaxation response curves by the chamber. In a second and third embodiment of the system, selective rotatable tuning means is provided at a third relatively spaced point in the chamber for altering the mode characteristics thereof.